Stamford Leads the Way in Cutting Plastic Trash and Costs
Local governments are on the front lines in the fight against plastic pollution and the City of Stamford is stepping up as a leader. This summer, Stamford’s Board of Representatives voted in favor of a new ordinance limiting the use and disposal of single-use plastic dining ware.
Will this reduce litter? Definitely. But the benefits go far beyond cleaner streets and waterways. Cutting back on single-use plastics is also smart health and fiscal policy.
What Stamford’s New Plastic Ordinance Does
The new rules require dine-in restaurants to use reusable food ware for all on-site consumption of food and beverages. For take-out orders, the city is phasing out plastic and plastic-lined containers, with an exception for certain items like soups and liquids, which can still be served in plastics labeled #1, #2, or #5.
Importantly, the ordinance also bans “black plastic,” a material that is nearly impossible to recycle and often ends up in landfills or incinerators.
Why It Matters: The Environmental Benefits
Single-use plastics are one of the most common types of litter found in volunteer cleanups. Plastic straws, utensils, and take-out containers easily slip through storm drains and float into waterways, where they gradually break down into microplastics. These tiny fragments can contaminate our soil, air, and oceans, and eventually enter our food chain.
Plastic pollution is also a climate issue. Most plastics are made from fossil fuels, and their production and disposal contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Every step toward reducing plastic waste is a step toward climate resilience.
The Hidden Health Costs of Plastic
Beyond the environmental impacts, single-use plastics can pose risks to our health. Certain plastic containers can leach harmful chemicals into food, especially when heated.
Take “black plastic,” for instance. It’s often made from recycled electronic waste, materials that can contain flame retardants and other toxic additives. These hidden contaminants can end up in our meals, creating unseen health costs that consumers ultimately bear.
The Fiscal Case: Saving Taxpayers Money
Stamford’s ordinance doesn’t just protect the planet and public health, it’s a smart financial move.
Municipalities like Stamford must balance their budgets, and waste disposal is a growing expense. The city currently pays around $70 per ton to dispose of garbage. While some materials can be sold on the recycling market, most single-use plastics, including black plastic, plastic-lined containers, straws, and utensils, have no resale value.
That means these items end up as trash, and taxpayers foot the bill. Reducing non-recyclable waste directly lowers disposal costs and stretches public funds further.
Good for Business, Too
The best part? This policy doesn’t have to be costly for local businesses.
- Skipping the extras, not automatically including disposable utensils with every take-out order, saves restaurants money right away.
- Switching to reusable dining ware for dine-in service pays for itself quickly. A stainless-steel fork may cost more upfront, but it can be used hundreds of times, while also elevating the dining experience.
- And when it comes to take-out containers, affordable alternatives like aluminum, cardboard, or compostable options are readily available, often at prices comparable to plastic.
The city, in partnership with the ReThink Disposable program, is also helping local restaurants make the transition. Businesses can access educational materials, customer signage, and connections to suppliers offering reusable options.
A Smart Solution to Connecticut’s Trash Crisis
Connecticut faces a growing waste crisis. With limited local disposal options, the state increasingly ships trash to out-of-state landfills, and the costs keep rising. While we can’t control what other states charge to take our waste, we can control how much waste we generate.
Policies like Stamford’s Single-Use Plastics Ordinance are a powerful step forward. They cut litter, protect public health, and save taxpayer dollars, a rare win-win-win for people, the planet, and local economies.
Stamford’s leadership proves that when local governments act boldly, everyone benefits.
