Results tagged “plasticbags”

Wicked Local Somerville reports that Somerville has passed an ordinance requiring business owners to recycle plastic bags. However, the ordinance does not put into place any mechanisms for aiding businesses in getting those bags recycled. Many larger stores currently hire private companies to take the bags away, but smaller businesses might not be able to afford this expense. We approve of the recycling idea, but wish there were better infrastructure in place to aid businesses in recycling--all items, not just plastic bags. more ›

Let's face it, our country is hopelessly addicted to plastic bags. We are offered bags for even the most minute of purchases, and those bags all end up in the same place - landfills. The facts are pretty scary. While the focus is often on how much of nightmare plastic bags are to get rid of (they only take 1000 odd years or so to decompose), the production of plastic bags is an environmental disaster. In the United States we go through 100 billion plastic bags a year. 100 billion!! It requires approximately 12 million barrels of oil to produce those bags. According to the Washington Post, 5 of the top 6 chemicals that produce the most toxic waste are used in the production of plastic bags. We all know the memorable scene from American Beauty when Wes Bentley's character films the wind blown plastic bag as it swirls in the air, while that made for a poignant scene, the reality is that trashed plastic bags are indeed everywhere. When the bags make their way into the oceans they have been held accountable for over 100,000 sea turtle and marine creature deaths a year. more ›

A state senator from Milton has unveiled a plan to apply a gradual tax to plastic bags, starting at 2 cents and then rising to 15 cents. more ›

--You heard that right. A man who was convicted for killing a police officer may be in hiding – as a woman. In 1991, Thomas Shay was involved in planting a bomb that killed one police officer and maimed another in Roslindale. Now, he's violated his probation, and he assaulted another police officer. The Herald explains the cross-dressing thusly: "[Officials think] that Shay is donning a wig and a dress to avoid detection. Shay, who... more ›

The Boston City Council wants to follow San Francisco's footsteps and ban plastic bags from the city. Robert Consalvo (Hyde Park / Roslindale / Mattapan) is pushing the measure, and nine of twelve city councilors have offered their support. We're all for protecting the environment, but the way Robert Consalvo describes those bags, you'd think we were being attacked by plastic bags: "They blow in trees, they're floating in Boston Harbor . . . They're... more ›

Bostonist says skip the box of Russell Stovers, the $300 10-course prix fixe, wine not included, even skip those fuzzy pink monkeys holding feather-petaled roses from the 7-11, and show your love with premium meat products! That's right! Stay in with your sweetie and cook up a big choucroute garnie, the classic Alsatian winter dish of sauerkraut and sausages. more ›