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Cleaner Greener Hingham Committee
Agendas & Minutes
Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.
View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes
Have a Question?
If you’d like to reach the CGH committee, email cleanergreener@hingham-ma.gov
Members
- Maria Zade, Chair
- Janice McPhillips
- Mark Engel
- Tony George
- Jaynika Parekh
- Alexander King
What is Cleaner Greener Hingham?
Cleaner Greener Hingham (officially known as the Long Range Waste Disposal and Recycling Committee) is a town-chartered committee of citizen volunteers. We study waste within the Town, with an eye to finding environmentally sustainable solutions. We explore new areas of recycling and waste management and encourage recycling best practices in Town through education and bylaw proposals.
Current Initiatives
Taking Action on Single-Use Plastics in Our Community
On April 25, 2023, Hingham Town Meeting passed a single use plastic water bottle ban. This bold action reaffirms our Town’s environmental leadership, sets an example of good stewardship for a green and sustainable Hingham, and helps reduce litter in our streets, parks, and waterways.
The new bylaw will:
- Prohibit the sale of plastic bottles of non-carbonated, non-flavored water in sizes of 1 gallon or less.
- Apply to any business that sells bottled water
- Take effect January 1, 2024.
What should residents use instead?
The most sustainable option is always a reusable bottle that can be refilled on the go.
In instances where refilling your own bottle is not possible, you can still buy water in aluminum, glass, or cardboard containers at retailers throughout Hingham. Aluminum bottles and cans are the most readily recyclable option for Hingham residents. Please remember that boxed water cannot be recycled at the Hingham Transfer Station and must go into general waste.
To read more about the bylaw and its effect on residents, please refer to:
Single Use Water Bottle Ban - What Residents Need to Know (PDF).
What can retailers sell instead?
Retailers can continue to sell:
- Carbonated, flavored, and vitamin-enriched water. Anything other than plain water.
- Regular water sold in aluminum, glass, or cardboard containers of any size, or in plastic containers over 1 gallon in size.
- Free water dispensers for customers to fill their own reusable bottles – Be featured on our Hingham on Tap town map! To have your business included on Hingham on Tap, email cleanergreener@hingham-ma.gov.
- Refillable water bottles, including branded bottles.
To read more about the bylaw and its impact on residents, please refer to:
Single Use Water Bottle Ban - What Retailers Need to Know (PDF).
Promoting Food Scrap Recycling and Home Composting in Our Community
- In Massachusetts, 40% of what gets landfilled, incinerated, or littered could have been kept out of the waste stream through composting and recycling. (Boston.com)
- Would you like to see a Town-sponsored solution to food scrap recycling? Please share your thoughts by taking our survey! Composting and Food Scrap Recycling Survey
- Resources on Home Composting - Learn more by visiting the Town's page on Composting
Educating Residents About Upcoming Waste Disposal Bans
Beginning in November 2022, textiles and mattresses will be banned from the waste stream in Massachusetts. Check out our guides to promoting the reuse economy and sustainably disposing of those items that can no longer be used. Mattress recycling continues to be available at the Transfer Station.