Gov. Maura Healey signed an executive order Thursday that she says will make Massachusetts the first state to ban the purchase of single-use plastic bottles by state agencies
The order bars all executive offices and agencies in Massachusetts from purchasing any single-use plastic bottles under 21 fluid ounces except in cases of emergency. Healey, a Democrat, said the executive order takes effect immediately.Healey also signed a second executive order that she said will set state biodiversity conservation goals for 2030, 2040, and 2050 — and develop strategies to meet those targets. She said protections will be among the first to extend to coastal and marine habitats.
“Massachusetts has a long history of being first in the nation, and we’re proud to be the first to set long-term targets for biodiversity and to ban state agencies from purchasing single-use plastic bottles,” Healey said Thursday. She said the state will be looking at strategies such as “marine protected areas” to help make sure that coastal and ocean habitats critical to biodiversity can recover and thrive while also ensuring the state helps maintains a climate-resilient landscape for the future.
Christy Leavitt, campaign director at the conservation group Oceana, said other states and the federal government should follow the state’s lead. “Single-use plastics are polluting our oceans, devastating ecosystems, and harming our climate. The only solution is to stop the problem at its source by reducing the amount of plastic companies produce and use,” Leavitt said in a written statement.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Healey discussed T near misses with federal safety agency headThis week, the Federal Transport Authority expects a detailed report on what went wrong with the T. On WBUR's Radio Boston Wednesday, the governor said the MBTA and its general manager 'better' meet that deadline.
Read more »
Massachusetts might soon make schools cellphone-free for studentsProvocative stories and authentic voices from around Boston.
Read more »
Massachusetts adopts new sex education guidelines for schools, moves to be more inclusive of LGBTQ+ communityMassachusetts education leaders adopted new sexual education guidelines for public schools that are being praised by LGBTQ+ supporters.
Read more »
A Massachusetts Teen Turns Wildlife Photography Into a MissionSoren Goldsmith was also a National Geographic Slingshot Challenge winner this year.
Read more »
Breeding Population Of Invasive Bug Found In MassachusettsThe spotted lanternfly population was found in Fitchburg, close to where a lanternfly nymph was reported earlier this summer, according to a statement Tuesday from the state Department of Agricultural Resources.
Read more »