03/16/2020 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Agenda Packet

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Frequently Asked Questions (excerpted from document prepared by Sustainable Practices,Ltd,the organization behind this, Cape-wide effort) 1. Can I still bring my single-use plastic beverage bottle to the beach, school, or on ally other Town property? This Bylaw would not prohibit private citizens from bringing single-us,e plastic beverage containers on Town property. It will only prevent the sale of single-use plastic beverages on Town property and the purchase of single-use plastic bottled beverages by the Town. The rationale for the municipal regulation is tied to the purpose of government, which is to protect the public welfare. Plastic bottles are a known hazard to environmental and human health and well-being. 2. Does is ban prevent businessesfrom selling single-use plastic bottles? No, this is not a commercial ban, but rather the first step to reducing our plastic waste and consumption. It will only affect sales on Town property. 3. What are the alternatives.? Members of Sustainable Practices, a Cape wide organization promoting this ban in multiple towns, have a goal to encourage behavioral changes. We strongly urge everyone to carry their own reusable bottles. In the event that convenience products are needed, there are fully recyclable alternatives like aluminum cans or glass bottles available. We, as consumers 5 influence what is manufactured. When we stop buying single-use plastic bottles and beverage,containers, more environmentally sensitive alternatives will become available. The Town's ban would set a wonderful example. 4. Why are we not pro moting recycling.?Plastic bottles (typically labeled#1 or PET plastic) are rarely recycled into new plastic bottles due to the more stringent process required to create food grade plastic necessary for bottling. Instead, PET plastic is usually downcycled and turned into products such as fabrics and rugs. Since plastic is a byproduct of the fossil fuel 'Industry, continued production of convenience-based plastic bottles promotes petroleum dependence, 'increases our greenhouse gas footprint, and ultimately, promotes plastic proliferation. Further,, the cost, of plastic waste to the environment and human health is not "Included in the price of a plastic beverage container. Fundamentally, recycling does not reduce the demand for plastic bottles. Recycling has always been considered as,the last alternative to waste reduction and we are promoting Refuse,Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle—in that order. 5. How will the ban be enforcede? Since the ban only prohibits Town activities, the Town will effectively self-regulate this bylaw. All departments would be notified about the new rules by the Town Administrator, The Town has control over contracts, so any vendors on Town property would have to follow the new updated bylaw or they will be out of compliance and standard protocol for non-compliance would be followed. (There have been several other Cape towns that passed this ban, and they have been able to continue to successfully run Town-wide events like the Well-fleet Oysterfest, which was, "plastic- free" this year.)