Single-use polyethylene terephthalate bottles are the third most common item found in ocean debris, almost 15% of total marine waste, while their caps and lids are the fourth most common item. Plastic has been found in more than 60% of all seabirds and in 100% of sea turtle species.

Sustainable Practices is working to ban commercial single-use plastic water bottles Capewide. The proposed bylaw calls for all noncarbonated, unflavored drinking water in plastic bottles smaller than 1 gallon to be banned.

Will businesses and consumers have to make changes? Yes, but we have to change to reduce the impact on marine life and limit plastic in the seafood that we consume.

Is recycling the answer? China and other countries now accept little of our plastic waste, limiting the cost-benefit of recycling. A million bottles are produced per minute, with only 9% recycled.

I ask all to join me and our neighbors across Cape Cod to vote and give their full support for the commercial single-use plastic water bottle ban.

Sherrie Burson, South Chatham