Local Heroes: We Nominate the

Bluedot Local Heroes:

The Plastic Free MV Kids Because you are never too small to make a difference.

It all began when a group of kids at the West Tisbury School, led by teacher Annemarie Ralph, convinced many Island stores to stop offering plastic straws with their Straw Free MV campaign. But they wanted to make a bigger impact. Since then, Plastic Free MV (PFMV) has succeeded in getting nonbinding resolutions passed in five Island towns that ban the sale of plastic water and soda bottles under 34 ounces.

“Many people say that Sweden is just a small country, and it doesn’t matter what we do,” Greta Thunberg said in a December 2018 speech. “But I have learned you are never too small to make a difference.” Like Greta, our students — our own Gretas — were not too small to make a difference when they stood before a full room at the West Tisbury annual town Plastic Free MV kids take on Tisbury town Hall. From left, meeting to ask that the town Runar Finn Robinson, Emma Bena, Quinlan Slavin, Elliot end the use of single-use Stead, and Odin Robinson. plastic bottles. They came armed with more than T shirts and earnest faces — they were prepared with facts and rehearsed remarks. “Did you know that plastic doesn’t biodegrade?” April 5, 2019 “One hundred percent of the fish in the deepest part of the ocean West Tisbury bottle ban becomes have plastic in them.” “We are looking to you to make a better of the first of its kind in North future for us all.” America. Tod Hardin, of Plastic Before the meeting, they’d met with business owners who Oceans International, told The would be impacted. When the owner of 7a expressed support at MV Times then that passing the meeting, the room erupted. the bylaw was “an example of a One not-so-small step for the Island. long-term solution that can serve There are other changes we need to make to protect the Island as an inspirational model for we love. They aren’t difficult, but we will need to do them together. other communities to follow.” With leadership — kids and adults working together, one step at a April 22, 2019 time — there are solutions. PFMV passes plastic bottle bylaw The Plastic Free MV kids and other student activists I’ve met in Chilmark, and the room full recently inspired me to create this magazine to help communities of voters stands and cheers. find solutions to sustainability problems where they live. We hope May 14, 2019 Martha’s Vineyard Bluedot Living will be the prototype of more Aquinnah, the final up-Island local magazines we plan to launch around the country. With the town, passes PFMV bottle bylaw. proceeds, we will create an Emerging Leaders Program to support August 7, 2019 student climate projects. PFMV begins selling and Guess where that idea came from. distributing reusable water bottles, and partners with the –Victoria Riskin Take Back the Tap initiative to encourage the use of public Want to nominate someone — an Islander, a group — as our water bottle refill stations. next “Local Hero”? Write us at editor@bluedotliving.com.

Here’s a timeline of their quest: March 4, 2020

After Tisbury abruptly removed the plastic bottle bylaw article from its town warrant, PFMV storms the town hall and says they will seek a petition for a special town meeting if selectmen don’t place the article back on the warrant.

March 6, 2020

In a rare move, Tisbury officials vote to reopen the warrant, and return the bottle bylaw to the warrant.

June 13, 2020

Voters approve the plastic bottle ban, making Tisbury the first down-Island town to pass the nonbonding resolution.

May 15, 2021

Oak Bluffs voters approve the plastic bottle ban, becoming the fifth Island town to do so. –Lucas Thors