At the North and South Rivers Watershed Association (NSRWA), we encourage everyone to protect the waters that connect our communities. Plastic waste, when it enters our ecosystem, breaks down into microplastics that threaten our fish, our shellfish, our birds, and the health of our rivers. This spring Lexie Schilling, a Hanover high school senior, decided to take action by proposing a town meeting article to reduce the use of plastic bags in Hanover and inspired the NSRWA and the town of Hanover’s Advisory Committee to support her initiative.
A Proven Path Forward
Single-use plastic bags are lightweight, easily caught by the wind, get stuck in our trees and often end up in our storm drains, flowing directly into our rivers and marshes. Once there, they become a permanent part of the landscape, harming wildlife and degrading the beauty of our watershed.
Hanover is not alone in this effort. Currently, 163 Massachusetts cities and towns—covering over 70% of the state—have already regulated single-use plastic bags. Norwell, Hanson, Duxbury, Marshfield, Pembroke, Hingham and Hull (to name just a few), have successfully implemented these bans with no detrimental consequences to their local economies. Their shops and residents have transitioned smoothly to using recycled paper or reusable bags, proving that we can protect our home without disrupting our daily lives.
Community Progress is Watershed Progress
The watershed is a connected system. What happens in Hanover affects the health of the North River and every community downstream. Lexie’s initiative represents a community-wide commitment to better stewardship of the South Shore. By voting “Yes” on Article 41, Hanover joins a regional movement toward a cleaner future.
What the Bylaw Means for Residents
If approved, Article 41 would require retail Hanover establishments to provide only recyclable paper bags or reusable checkout bags at the point of sale. The bylaw is designed to be business-friendly, featuring:
- A six-month grace period before requirements take effect to allow stores to adjust.
- Waivers of up to six months for small businesses facing economic hardship.
- Exemptions for thin plastic bags used for loose produce, dry cleaning, or newspapers.
Stand With Lexie on May 4th
Real environmental change starts at the local level. Lexie has shown incredible leadership in bringing this issue to the town floor. We encourage every Hanover resident to head to the Town Meeting on May 4th and vote in favor of Article 41.
Check out Lexi’s presentation to the Advisory Committee here.