By Bob Katzen

The Senate 38-2, approved a bill that would ban single-use plastic bags; make straws and plastic utensils available by request only; require stores to charge 10 cents for recycled paper bags with 5 cents retained by the retailer and 5 cents used to fund environmental protection measures; make it easier to recycle; create a statewide program for recycling large plastic objects including car seats; prohibit single-use plastic bottle purchases by state agencies; require do-not-flush labeling for non-flushable wipes made of plastic; and implement statewide composting.

“From microplastics in our blood to plastic bags in our waterways to greenhouse gases in our air, plastics pollute and harm our people and planet,” said Sen. Becca Rausch (D-Needham), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment. “The Plastics Reduction Act will prevent billions of single-use plastic bags, bottles, cutlery and wipes from clogging up our environment, pipes and landfills each year. This is a major win for our climate, our wildlife and our health.”

“Nothing we use for just a few minutes should pollute the environment for decades,” said Janet Domenitz, Executive Director of MASSPIRG. “Getting rid of single use plastic bags, food ware and more will reduce plastic waste, cut down on litter and make a cleaner, greener future for everyone.”

“In Massachusetts, we take pride in being a leader when it comes to protecting our environment and people’s health, and this bill continues that leadership,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “Limiting our plastics use means less trash in our waterways and on our streets, and giving our kids the green, clean planet they deserve to inherit. This is a crucial part of achieving the commonwealth’s climate goals.”

“It’s burdensome on small businesses and creates increased cost at the grocery store and everyday living for consumers by having to pay an additional tax on paper bags and reusable bags,” said Sen. Ryan Fatman (R-Sutton), one of two senators who voted against the bill. “It also has no chance of passing through the Legislature because it’s unrealistic and out of touch.”

“I think it’s important to understand that when we talk about the pollution that occurs throughout the world, that we understand where this comes from,” said Sen. Peter Durant (R-Spencer), the other senator who voted against the bill. “Over 70 percent of all plastic pollution in the world today comes from Asia. The United States accounts for approximately 4 percent of the pollution, which is too much, I can give you that. I oppose this bill because the question becomes, what is the cost to benefit ratio that we’re talking about here? To what end do we want to cause businesses to cause families in Massachusetts, to expend more for a diminishing return?”

Durant continued, “This is going to cost the consumers of Massachusetts more, in a state that already has an incredible cost of living and in a state where we’re trying to make it more affordable to be here. I think this is something that ends up being a little bit too much, too much for us to bear.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.)

Sen. Patricia Jehlen Yes