Arlington bans single-use plastic water bottles
In May 2022, Zero Waste Arlington proposed a bylaw to Town Meeting to ban the sale of single-use plastic water bottles. Town Meeting supported the article with an overwhelming vote of 199-42.
- RArlington is the 24th and largest municipality in Mass. to pass bottled water restrictions.
- RThe bylaw took effect November 1, 2022.
- RWe are committed to working with Town officials to plan and install outdoor water filling stations in strategic public locations.
Plastics Reduction Working Group
Reducing the amount of single-use plastics in our community is a team effort and we welcome resident participation. Our initiatives include:
- RImplementation of the single-use water bottle ban
- R'Arlington on Tap' water filling station feasibility and planning
- R'No Plastic, Please’ campaign to reduce single-use plastics for take-out
Reduce Waste in 2023
Challenge yourself to adopt one (or more!) of our suggestions to fight back against the environmental foes: consumerism and disposability.
What Is Zero Waste?
Zero Waste is a lifestyle change that minimizes the human burden on our planet. While it is a personal and household choice that one might associate with recycling, for example, Zero Waste behavior demands a much more comprehensive outlook. Whereas recycling primarily focuses on post-consumption behavior, Zero Waste is about conscious pre-consumption choices.

refuse
Say no to what you don’t need.

reduce
Avoid single-use and unnecessary items.

reuse
Switch to reusable and permanent alternatives.

Rot
Compost organic household waste.

recycle
Recycling is the last resort.
Can I Recycle this?
Do you have questions about what is recyclable? You’re not alone.
Curbside recycling can be confusing. Check out the SEARCH box below.