One thing I realized as a student at the Ashland Public Schools is that the cafeterias, gymnasiums, auditoriums, and fields often lack a place to recycle empty bottles.  As a Boy Scout looking for a way to improve the town's sustainability profile, I decided to use my Eagle Scout Project as an opportunity to improve recycling in my community.

Working with the Ashland High School Principal, Ms. Kelly St. Coeur, and the Ashland Sustainability Program Manager, Ms. Samantha Riley, we came up with a plan for me to create a receptacle for recycling and composting inside the high school.  Unfortunately, the Ashland School Committee wasn't ready for composting in the schools yet, but the idea of a durable, aesthetic, and mobile structure to hold recycling bins for the cafeteria, gymnasium, and auditorium was approved -- given it was made of composite materials.

After finalizing my designs and leading a fundraising effort for over $2500 of materials needed to build the structure (a huge thank you to Ashland Lumber, TLC Painting, Lowe's Milford, Monnick Supply, and family), I led a team of Boy Scouts to construct and install the receptacle at the High School in late Fall of 2024.  The recycling bin will be emptied by student volunteers in the AHS Environmental Action Club.

Improving the sustainability of the Ashland Public Schools is important and I am hopeful that the recycling structure that I built will be the first of many.

As a resident of Ashland for 24 years, I’ve watched our town make great strides toward sustainability, from the 2018 plastic bag ban to our ambitious Net Zero Resolution, which aims to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 and the recent formation of Energize Ashland. However, when it comes to the environmental impact of takeout containers, Ashland still has work to do. Unlike many neighboring communities, we still allow Styrofoam and black plastic—materials that harm the environment and are difficult to recycle. By transitioning to sustainable alternatives, our businesses and residents can help reduce waste and build a cleaner, greener future.

The Problem with Styrofoam and Black Plastic

While convenient and sometimes cheaper, Styrofoam and black plastic carry significant environmental and health risks:

• Styrofoam: Non-biodegradable and difficult to recycle, Styrofoam can persist in landfills and oceans for centuries. It also contains styrene, a chemical linked to potential health risks, especially when in contact with food. Styrofoam is easily blown around due to its lightweight nature, often ending up in waterways.

• Black plastic: This material is nearly impossible to recycle, as sorting systems can’t detect it. Like Styrofoam, black plastic can also leach harmful chemicals when exposed to heat, raising health concerns. Since black plastic is rarely recycled, it contributes heavily to the global plastic pollution crisis. Plastic does not biodegrade—it only breaks down into microplastics, which can infiltrate the food chain, posing risks to both wildlife and humans.

Why Switch to Sustainable Containers?

Switching to sustainable containers offers numerous benefits:

• For businesses: Sustainable packaging can improve brand image, boost customer loyalty, and prepare businesses for future regulations. While there may be upfront costs, many businesses find long-term savings through bulk purchasing or local incentives.
• For residents: Sustainable containers eliminate health risks associated with chemical leaching and reduce waste in our community. Supporting businesses that make the switch contributes to a cleaner, healthier Ashland.
• For the environment: Biodegradable or compostable containers break down more quickly, reducing the strain on landfills and lowering our overall carbon footprint.

The Challenges We Face

The transition to sustainable packaging isn’t without its challenges:

• Cost: Eco-friendly containers are often more expensive than Styrofoam or plastic, especially for small businesses. However, long-term savings and potential municipal incentives can help.
• Durability: Some sustainable containers may not perform well with certain food types, such as hot or greasy items. Businesses will need to explore options that fit their needs.
• Consumer habits: Encouraging customers to bring reusable containers or embrace compostable options will require education and time to shift behaviors.
• Availability: Sourcing sustainable packaging options may also present a challenge, especially for smaller restaurants or businesses that rely on local suppliers.
• Municipal support: Collaboration between businesses, residents, and the town will be critical. Towns that have successfully implemented these transitions, such as Brookline and Cambridge, have relied on clear communication, local government support, and resources for businesses to ease the shift.

Learning from Other Towns

Several towns in Massachusetts have already made the switch to sustainable packaging, offering examples Ashland can follow:

What You Can Do

Beyond town-wide initiatives, residents can take simple steps to reduce waste and promote sustainability:

·        Use reusable containers and bags: Bringing your own when ordering takeout or shopping can significantly cut down on single-use plastics. Many local businesses welcome reusable containers, especially for beverages and leftovers​.

·        Choose compostable options: Support businesses that have already made the switch to eco-friendly packaging. When given the choice, opt for products that are compostable or biodegradable. You can also start composting at home—either through a backyard system or a service like curbside composting, from Black Earth (Ashland residents get a discount).

·        Reduce overall waste:

Avoid single-use plastics: Skip items like plastic straws, stirrers, and disposable utensils unless absolutely necessary.

Shop in bulk: Purchase food and household items in bulk to cut down on packaging waste.

·        Recycle effectively: Make sure you're familiar with what can and cannot be recycled under Ashland's waste management guidelines to avoid contamination​.

·        Get involved: Get involved with local sustainability efforts like Energize Ashland. Share what you are doing and be vocal about your choices.

If you are passionate about this topic, we would like to hear from you. By making these small changes in our everyday lives, we can support Ashland’s sustainability goals and work together to build a healthier, more sustainable future.

I decided to recognize Plastic-Free July by bringing my own containers for leftovers to Ashland restaurants. That way I am not stuck with the restaurant’s plastic containers (if they are black bottomed they cannot be recycled in Massachusetts) or the brown cardboard boxes (they invariably have a plastic film on them to prevent liquid from leaking through which makes them non-recyclable and complicates their eligibility for composting). And I definitely don’t want to take home the ubiquitous white styrofoam clamshells made of petroleum, that takes hundreds of years to decompose, and can leach chemicals into the environment when thrown into the trash.

The wait staff have all been gracious and helpful. And no other diners stared at me. I’ll bet if more folks started doing this, restaurant owners would be happy to save money on containers and it would feel natural and safer for customers to reuse their own containers.