Enforcing Waste Bans in Massachusetts

A recently published environmental report calls attention to the quantities of banned materials that are disposed of in the state of Massachusetts. The report includes contributions from a coalition of environmental organizations called Zero Waste Massachusetts. It suggests that waste bans implemented by the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) in 1990 need to be more strictly enforced in order to reduce pollution and potential public health problems. 

The "Need to Enforce: Waste Bans in Massachusetts" report highlights the fact that banned materials account for roughly 40% of landfilled or incinerated waste disposed of in Massachusetts. Recommended solutions included in the report are fourfold:

1. Enforce laws, issue noncompliance orders, and issue fines to violators
2. Provide separate bins for residential waste and commercial waste, and keep recycling and composting separate from other discarded materials
3. Hold state and local governments responsible for educating decision-makers as well as the public about correct disposal and recycling practices
4. Use clear trash bags

Some of the banned materials that end up in landfills and incinerators are glass and metal containers, leaves and yard waste, cardboard, wood waste, and tires. 

The report puts forth four case studies in the United States to explore what successful enforcement of waste bans does or doesn't look like, and how to apply those lessons in Massachusetts. The municipality of Nantucket, MA, is an example of strict enforcement of waste bans. In 2018, only 12% of materials in the Nantucket Landfill were recyclable or banned items. 

Another case study included in the report is San Francisco. Although the rate of recyclable items that end up in the landfill is quite high at more than 50%, the city successfully uses multilingual resident communication regarding waste bans.