Attleboro to ban plastic, styrofoam takeout containers in 2022

ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WLNE) – The Attleboro City Council voted last week to ban plastic and Styrofoam takeout containers.

The vote came after Attleboro Mayor Paul Heroux suggested the changes among others in late 2020.

“A lot of the litter that is seen around town is plastic and styrofoam from fast food and take out restaurants,” Mayor Heroux said.

The changes go into effect in January of 2022.

This is just the latest of a number of efforts by Mayor Heroux to make his city cleaner and greener.

“The nice thing is that after we passed the ban on single-use plastic bags, we saw a real sharp drop in those plastic bags being littered through out the city or caught in a bush. And I have a feeling we’re going to see something like that with this,” Mayor Heroux said.

“I think what the mayor is doing is a step in the right direction,” William Morin, Owner of Morin’s Bar and Grille on Main Street said. “Looking down the road to the future not just thinking about about now so I think its something that could go a long way.”

At Morin’s Bar Grille and Diner they already changed over to biodegradable containers.

In fact, it’s the only way they handed out their food during the pandemic when they survived almost solely on take-out orders.

“The newer stuff is more expensive than Styrofoam but the quality has gotten better over the years. So we just figured we’d do our part and switch over early and it’s worked out,” Morin said.

But for other businesses the change will be tougher.

“Cumberland Farms for example still uses plastic and styrofoams for many of their throw away goods,” Mayor Heroux said.

Residents are still allowed to buy plastic or Styrofoam containers in supermarkets but will no longer receive them from restaurants come 2022.

Mayor Heroux hopes to ban single use water bottles and plastic nip bottles in the near future.