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1. Will I be fined if I am carrying a single-use plastic water bottle around?

No, this bylaw applies to COMMERCIAL use and distribution only. This bylaw will be enforced in commercial establishments, not on the streets or in people’s homes. However, we hope all will join in the spirit of the bylaw in reducing single-use plastic waste. We need everyone’s participation and consumer support to make the greatest difference. 

2. What is “drinking water”? Will I still be able to buy sparkling water?

Drinking water is plain, uncarbonated, unflavored water. Flavored water and carbonated water are not covered in this bylaw.

3. How will I stay hydrated if I cannot buy bottles of water?

There are numerous locations around the island where you can refill your water bottle, with additional filling stations planned: https://www.nantucket-ma.gov/1371/Water-Stations. Additionally, only water in a single-use plastic or non-recyclable container of a liter or less is banned in this bylaw. Local businesses have already found alternative containers for drinking water made from other materials. Using a reusable water is preferable in order to minimize waste from single-use items, as well as reduce carbon emissions associated with production and transportation of single-use items.

4. Will vending machines be allowed to sell bottled water?

Vending machines are commercial sale and distribution, and they will not be permitted to sell items included in the ban.

5. Can I bring these banned items from off-island or order them online?

As long as the items are for personal use and not commercial use and distribution, bringing these items in from off-island is permitted under the bylaw. However, again, we hope all will join in the spirit of the bylaw in reducing single-use plastic waste. We need everyone’s participation and consumer support to make the greatest difference.

6. How will this bylaw be enforced?

This bylaw will rely on complaint-based enforcement, as well as active inspections by Health Department staff.

7. How does this relate to waste stream separation?

The objective of waste stream separation is to handle all waste in the most sustainable ways possible, within the limitations and unique challenges Nantucket faces pertaining to waste management. Reducing the amount of waste generated is the first, and most effective and efficient, step in minimizing our impact on the health of the natural environment, and in turn our own health. While there are single-use alternatives to each of the banned items, we encourage you to consider reusable alternatives to these items. This minimizes waste and reduces carbon emissions associated with production and transportation of single-use items.

Most compostable plastics need certain conditions in an industrial composter to break down, which Nantucket’s waste management facility at 188 Madaket Road may or may not meet. The Department of Public Works and Waste Options Nantucket are working on conducting research to better understand the capabilities of our Composter and composting process.

Cleaning up the Compostable Waste stream by keeping plastic and other non-biodegradable materials out of it, creates more possibilities for finding ways to properly handle compostable plastics locally.

For more information about how to sort your ‘trash’ visit: https://www.nantucket-ma.gov/SolidWaste.

8. How does this bylaw relate to the existing Biodegradable Packaging Bylaw?

Nantucket has an existing Biodegradable Packaging Bylaw, which is related to this Single-Use Plastics bylaw but covers packaging: https://ecode360.com/11471185.

9. Can my business use these items if they are made from compostable plastics, bamboo, or a natural fiber?

Yes, this bylaw prohibits petroleum-based plastics only; compostable plastics, bamboo and other natural materials are permitted. Most compostable plastics items are currently made from polylactic acid (PLA), though there are other types of compostable plastics. Regardless, all compostable plastic items indicate on the item that it is compostable. Please note: the terms “biodegradable” and “oxo-degradable” do not signify that a material is “compostable,” nor are those terms interchangeable for “compostable.”