ACTION ALERT: Speak Up for Missoula's Right to Stop Plastic Pollution

Update from FLC’s Plastic Working Group

Dear Missoulians,

Missoula City Council member Stacie M. Anderson (Ward 5) is carrying a resolution submitted by the Families for a Livable Climate (FLC) Plastics Working Group which declares Missoula’s support for statewide legislation during the 2023 Legislative session to restore power to local governments to regulate single-use plastics, or in the alternative, for statewide legislation banning certain single-use plastics including but not limited to single-use plastic bags, straws (except upon request), stirrers and polystyrene containers.

The resolution passed through its reading in the Public Safety, Health & Operations Committee on January 25, and will be up for a vote with the full Council at the next City Council meeting on Monday, February 6 at 6pm in the City Council Chambers. (Read recent news coverage about the resolution in the Missoula Current and Missoulian.)

We need your help to get the resolution passed!

Opportunities for Action

  • Identify and contact your city council members and ask them to support the resolution that supports the Montana Legislature giving back control to local governments to regulate single use plastics.

  • Attend the City Council Meeting and provide testimony in support of the resolution, or simply attend to show your support.

    • Missoula City Council Meeting - Monday, February 6 at 6pm in the City Council Chambers, 140 W. Pine, Missoula, MT

  • If you can’t attend the meeting, Click Here for Council Meeting Comment Options

  • Help spread the word, so we have good representation of concerned citizens and businesses supporting this resolution.

  • Connect with the FLC Plastic Working Group:

    • Sign up for updates and alerts.

    • Attend the next group meeting: Friday, February 24 at 9:15am in the Missoula Public Library (details TBA)

suggested Talking points:

  • H.B. 407 infringed on Missoula's right and responsibility to maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment for its citizens, and this resolution, asking the legislature to give control back to local government to regulate single use plastics, will help remedy this infringement.

  • H.B. 407 takes power away from local cities and towns to act in the best interests of their community. Missoula needs to stand up and let the legislators know that Missoula is in the best position to create policies to protect its community and manage the delivery of services. H.B. 407 weakens local decision making and authority.

    Note: recently Bozeman City Commissioners passed a resolution similar to the proposed Missoula resolution and Billings is working on passing a resolution as well.

  • This is in line with the City of Missoula's climate and sustainability plans, therefore the City Council should vote to approve it.

  • As our community grows, so will plastic pollution. We need to address the source of the problem – single-use plastics – before it's too late.

Single-use plastics present a slew of environmental, health, and climate-related problems. Refer to the wealth of research on the Beyond Plastics website, and feel free to reference this information in your public comment.

Questions? Contact Liz Ametsbichler at liz.ametsbichler@gmail.com  or Youpa Stein at youpastein@gmail.com.

Working Groups, Take ActionSarah LundquistAction Archive, Plastics