Lawmakers in Massachusetts are considering new legislation that would effectively outlaw the use of plastic balloons across the state.
“The sale, distribution and release of any type of balloon, including, but not limited to, plastic, latex or mylar, filled with any type of lighter than air gas, both for public or private use, is hereby prohibited,” says the bill.
Violating the ordinance could carry a $100 fine.
“According to WesternMassNews.com, supporters of the bill say balloons can be deadly for animals and bad for the environment. But opponents said the proposed measure would hurt businesses,” reports CBS Boston.
Read the full report here.
CORTEZ CONFUSION: AOC Says Americans Must ‘Keep Fighting’ Against ‘Plastic Bags at Grocery Stores’
Recently sworn-in Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez set her sights on a new target this week; urging all Americans to “keep fighting” against “plastic bags at grocery stores” to combat the negative impacts of climate change.
Cortez was speaking with local news New York 1 when she abruptly slammed the use of plastic bags while shopping for groceries, saying “I can be upset that I get 10 plastic bags at the grocery store and then have to toss out my plastic bags.”
.@AOC: “I can be upset that I get ten plastic bags at the grocery store and then have to toss out my plastic bags because the recycling program in the area is tough, and that’s ok."
(I'm no scientist but couldn't she say "no thanks" if she doesn't want any plastic bags?) pic.twitter.com/zNwx5ugzDA
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) March 5, 2019
“All of these are not reasons to stop fighting. All of these are reasons to keep fighting. These are all reasons and pieces of evidence to say, ‘Hey, we need to make it easier to recycle,'” she added.
DEVELOPING: New York to Become Second State in the US to Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags
New York State is poised to follow California and become the second state in the country to completely ban single-use plastic bags, with lawmakers in Albany agreeing Thursday on the new regulations to cut-down on litter and waste.
“New York State lawmakers have agreed to impose a statewide ban on most types of single-use plastic bags from retail sales, changing a way of life for millions of New Yorkers as legislators seek to curb an unsightly and omnipresent source of litter,” reports the New York Times.
“New York’s ban, which would begin next March, would forbid stores to provide customers with single-use plastic bags, which are nonbiodegradable and have been blamed for everything from causing gruesome wildlife deaths to thwarting recycling efforts,” adds the article.
“There was a real understanding that there should be a ban on plastic,” said one State Senator from Long Island. “And that if people go to paper rather than reusables, we are not that better off.”
Read the full report at the New York Times.
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