Hudson Plastic Reduction Bylaw

VICTORY! 5/5/2025

The Plastic Reduction Initiative passed with flying colors at Hudson's Town Meeting on 5/5/2025 with 9 dissenters! The MA chapter is thrilled to have the support of the local activists who made this happen! 

The Massachusetts Chapter is working with local activists in Hudson, MA to reduce the use of disposable food service ware, polystyrene foam, and black plastic.

Article 24 ‘Non-Recyclable Plastic Reduction By-Law’ on the Town of Hudson’s 2025 Annual Town Meeting Warrant would, if passed, prohibit:

• Food establishments from distributing disposable food service ware made from polystyrene foam or black plastic.
• Food establishments from distributing plastic utensils, straws, stirrers, splash sticks, and chopsticks, except by customer request.
• Large retail establishments from selling disposable plastic straws, stirrers, splash sticks, or chopsticks, unless non-plastic or reusable alternatives are sold nearby.
• Retail establishments from distributing or using foam polystyrene packaging materials, except for items that are not repackaged in the Town of Hudson.

There are exceptions for undue hardship, and for plastic straw use at medical facilities, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and residential care facilities.

The 2025 Hudson Town Meeting is scheduled to start at 7:30 PM on Monday, May 5, 2025 at the Hudson High School.

This warrant article was submitted by the Hudson Board of Health, with the support of Green Hudson.

Campaign Background:

The Massachusetts Chapter has been supporting local Hudson activists in their efforts to pass a plastic reduction bylaw since 2021, after they were inspired by the passage of a polystyrene ban in neighboring Sudbury the year before.

After two years of public outreach by Green Hudson and a decision to delay due to COVID-19 pandemic, the Chapter testified to the Hudson Board of Health in 2023 on the potential health risks of polystyrene in food-contact applications.

In 2024, the Hudson Board of Health elected to sponsor the proposed plastic reduction bylaw, resulting in its inclusion on the 2025 Town Meeting Warrant. Chapter volunteers have since supported Green Hudson’s outreach and education work by speaking at public forums in Town and sharing additional resources, including information on foodware alternatives in Surfrider’s Ocean Friendly Foodware Guide and Comprehensive Foodware Policy Toolkit.

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For more information and to learn how you can get involved in plastic pollution mitigation in Massachusetts, please contact the MA Chapter’s Volunteer Campaigns Coordinator.

Another important way to support Surfrider’s work is to join or renew your Surfrider Foundation Membership today and get active with your local chapter.