Chelmsford High Ecology Club member Jeffrey Zekser speaking at Town Meeting. (Image courtesy Chelmsford Telemedia)
by Jen Oemig
CHELMSFORD – Members of Chelmsford High School’s Ecology Club played a vital role in helping to pass a ban on black plastic food containers for take-out orders at local restaurants and other establishments.
The topic was the focus of Article 17 on Chelmsford’s Fall Town Meeting Warrant.
During Town Meeting on Monday, Oct. 19, Lindsey Sieber, a member of the Chelmsford Recycling Committee, explained that the goal of the ban is to reduce single-use plastic.
“Black plastic is not recyclable in the State of Massachusetts,” she said. “It’s considered contamination, even when it’s marked with the chasing arrows symbol.”
Sieber said the community pays fines for any kind of contamination in its recycling.
“We’re trying to eliminate it at the source, before it gets into our waste stream,” she said.
Rebecca Gore, also a member of the town’s Recycling Committee, said the Chelmsford High Ecology Club members did a significant amount of legwork for this initiative.
“They were amazing,” she said. “They did surveys via email to the food establishments in town; they followed up with emails and phone calls and in-person visits. We have a very remarkable sustainability group coming along through the Chelmsford High School system.”
Jeffrey Zekser, a member of the CHS Ecology Club, said making a difference doesn’t always have to be complicated.
“Sometimes it’s as simple as changing what we allow in our waste systems,” he said. “A few years ago, we, the Chelmsford High Ecology Club, and the Town of Chelmsford, were a part of this change when we passed the plastic bag ban. Now we have this chance to make change again.”
Zekser said towns like Hudson, Brookline, Pembroke and Needham have banned black plastic food containers and are already reaping the benefits.
“By eliminating single-use black plastic, these towns have improved efficiency at recycling plants and reduced contaminated batches,” he said. “This is an achievable, realistic change we can make right now.”
Loi Duong, a member of the CHS Ecology Club, acknowledged that there are alternatives available that are not too much more expensive than single-use black plastic food containers.
“Our Ecology Club believes that protecting the environment and supporting local businesses can go hand-in-hand,” he said. “We want a solution that reduces waste without placing unnecessary financial burdens on the local restaurants.”
The ban on non-recyclable black plastic food containers passed 131-2-0, and will go into effect on January 1, 2028.
Dr. Somdatta Chowdhury, advisor for the Ecology Club, said the success of this initiative would not have been possible without the collaboration and support of the Chelmsford Recycling Committee and the many Ecology Club members who contributed their time, ideas, and energy throughout the process.
“The CHS Ecology Club extends its sincere gratitude to everyone who helped make this achievement possible,” she said. “This milestone is a powerful reminder that when students and community members work together, their voices can help shape a more sustainable future.”
Loi Duong, a member of the Chelmsford High Ecology Club, addresses Town Meeting. (Image courtesy Chelmsford Telemedia)
