SUPPORTING THE Contact Information TRANSITION TO THE For more information about the bylaws, please visit www.tritownhealth.org or the NEW BY-LAWS Recycling Committee’s section of the Town website (www.lee.ma.us). If you have and the The Tri-Town Health Department and the questions or would like to help with the Lee Recycling Committee are helping transition, please contact: Lee Greener residents and businesses transition to new Tri-Town Health Department by-laws that regulate plastic shopping bags Jim Wilusz, Executive Director Gateway and polystyrene containers. We are [email protected] developing, posting, and distributing: 413.243.5540 Committee* a guide to the by-laws, Lee Recycling Committee practical ways to meet household needs Peter Hofman, Chair without plastic shopping bags, [email protected] a list of approved alternatives, and 603.767.4250 USING YOUR NEW frequently asked questions. We will meet with groups and businesses; REUSABLE provide information through media and local organizations; and hold events for sharing, purchasing, and repairing reusable SHOPPING BAG shopping bags. TO MAKE LEE By helping the community understand the A Word of Thanks implications of the by-laws and supporting A GREENER the transition, we hope to achieve all the Funding from the Committee’s annual budget, benefits we expect with few, if any, grants from the Massachusetts Department of problems. Environmental Protection and the New England GATEWAY Grass Roots Environment Fund, and proceeds Thank you for playing an active role in this from selling some bags enabled us to purchase process by using and taking care of your more than 500 reusable bags. The artwork is by reusable bag. a local student. 12/16/16 *Formerly the Lee Recycling Committee CONGRATULATIONS: TIPS FOR A SAFE, LONG Wash all fresh produce in soapy water and thoroughly rinse before YOU’VE ALREADY TAKEN LIFE FOR YOUR eating or cooking. THE FIRST STEP REUSABLE BAG Machine- or hand-wash your Your reusable bag will be invaluable as Lee With the growing restrictions on the reusable bags frequently – following makes the transition to life with less plastic. use of thin-film plastic shopping bags any provided washing instructions Under the plastic shopping bag by-law and the increased use of reusable for best results, especially after using adopted at Town Meeting last May and bags, various entities have published them to carry fresh produce, meat, going into effect in May 2017, you’ll be able recommendations for the safe use of to use whatever bags/containers you want, these bags. The following tips include poultry, and seafood or if juices from but establishments will no longer be able to excerpts from the US Department of food have leaked. hand out thin plastic bags. Health and Human Services and Health Make sure the bags are thoroughly Canada materials: Town Meeting representatives approved dry before storing them. the by-law to help safeguard public health Do not use reusable grocery bags Store reusable bags in a cool, dry and the environment and to make Lee a for other purposes. Don’t carry place. If you keep bags in your car, Greener Gateway to the Berkshires. It’s up items such as baby bottles, toys, to each of us to help achieve the intended be sure they are clean and dry, gym clothes, and other items in the benefits. Key to that is using reusable bags especially during hot weather. and other containers. same reusable bags that you take to the grocery store. Avoid carrying in the bags You might think getting paper bags when unwrapped sharp objects that you shop is the best solution. It isn’t. Keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood could puncture or rip them. Making these bags uses precious resources, separated from other foods with they’re costly, and they’re bulky for bags, wraps, etc. to prevent juices The bags should be readily able to businesses to handle and store. from leaking out into the bags and hold up to 25 pounds of goods. Reusable bags make a world of difference. contacting other food. Don’t reuse Avoid overloading them. You can use them hundreds of times. They these disposable bags/wraps. can be easily cleaned, are safer from a Periodically check your bags for public health perspective, and are If you have multiple reusable bags, tears, weakened stitching, etc. and environmentally friendly. With care and a use separate ones for meats, fresh repair them. little forethought, you’ll get many years of fruits and vegetables, and ready- Following these simple tips should ensure safe use from your bag. And you’ll help to-eat foods. make Lee a Greener Gateway! So, once your reusable bags safely meet your needs again, congratulations…and thank you! for years to come. .