City Council President Wants to Ban Styrofoam Cups in Boston
Boston City Council President Stephen Murphy originally called for a ban on styrofoam cups in 2009, but feels there's more support for it in 2012.
The styrofoam cups that are being used today will live longer than the man who would like to ban them in Beantown: Boston City Council President Stephen Murphy.
At Wednesday's Boston City Council meeting, Murphy reintroduced an order from 2009, calling for a citywide ban on styrofoam cups.
"The styrofoam is nonbiodegradable and lasts for hundreds and hundreds of years in landfills," said Murphy, who reminded his peers that 10 of them supported the order in 2009 (with the other three not being on the council).
Murphy said more than 111 municipalities have banned them across the country, and that locally, Brookline is debating a ban now. "It’s sound public policy. (I'm) just asking for it to go to the appropriate committee and seeing if we can get behind it in the city."
Here are statistics on styrofoam from Livestrong.com, including:
- Styrofoam and Styrofoam products fill up 30 percent of our landfill space, and landfills are quickly becoming full.
- A Recycling Revolution reports that packaging material makes up one-third of an average dump.
The order was referred to the Committee on Environment and Human Rights.
SM_bos
7:02 am on Monday, September 24, 2012
So Patch, I hope you'll now do some of what used to be called "reporting" and tell the rest of the story. Why didn't this ban pass in 2009? What do restaurant (especially Dunkin Donuts) owners say about a ban and why do they still use styrofoam? Also, who is on the"Committee on Environment and Human Rights?"
I am not arguing against a ban, but would just much prefer to hear the entire story.
Sara Jacobi
10:05 am on Monday, September 24, 2012
Hey SM -This particular article was a brief on what specifically happened at the most recent meeting, just to make people aware it's an issue being explored again, put it on the radar, etc. this is definitely going to be an issue we'll be following as it develops here in Boston, i.e. if it actually gets to the point to require a vote or there's more information presented on it. Your points are well taken - I do agree the story could have contained more information on why the ban didn't pass in 2009. Thanks for your thoughts!