For a time last year, Dunkin’ customers across the country were sliding clear plastic straws into their cold beverages. Most probably didn’t notice the typical orange and purple stripes were missing. Others, no doubt, chalked it up to something else that had changed during the pandemic. Indeed, straws are just one piece of a complicated…
Read More »Well, as we again flip the calendar, it’s important to note what laws may change on the first of any month. As we advised you in past issues, new provisions in the Connecticut equal pay act become effective today (on October 1, 2021) that prohibit pay differences between the sexes for comparable work (rather than…
Read More »For the second time this year, the city of Baltimore has delayed the implementation date of its local ban on the use of plastic bags. The ban was originally scheduled to take effect on January 13, but in light of the pandemic, that date was pushed off until today, July 9. Then, explaining that the…
Read More »Over the course of the past 15 or 16 months, COVID has rightly been in the forefront. Despite the importance of defeating that pandemic however, it is imperative that we continue to keep an eye on non-COVID related issues. In that vein, the city of Philadelphia recently passed an ordinance that prohibits employers from testing…
Read More »Major cities across the country continue to pass new legislation on an array of issues with which you should be aware – possibly coming soon to a city near you! Starting out west again, Los Angeles this week passed an ordinance that will make disposable items such as plastic utensils and paper napkins available to…
Read More »Staying abreast of the plethora of issues facing the small businessman and woman in the normal course of business is enough of a challenge, but in light of coronavirus regulations, mandates and guidance, it is practically full-time. To help keep you aware, we note that New York, which just announced a mandatory self-quarantine for visitors…
Read More »“Dunkin’ Runs Green!” could be the next catchphrase for the brand in light of its completing the difficult global transition it announced two years ago – switching its complete inventory from the iconic polystyrene foam cups to double-walled paper cups for all of its hot beverages. The new cups are certified to the Sustainable Forestry…
Read More »Resurrecting an issue that has popped up around the country over the past few years, the state senate last week passed legislation that would outlaw single use plastic bags as well as paper bags in New Jersey. The legislation, SB 865, which requires a warning for first offenses, but then provides for a fine of…
Read More »Legislation was introduced in Congress last week that seeks to dramatically restrict and ultimately phase out most single-use plastics. Democratic Senators Tom Udall (D-NM) and Jeff Merkely (D-OR) joined Representatives Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) and Katherine Clark (D-MA) in filing the Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act of 2020 this week. The legislation would mandate a…
Read More »Legislators and environmental activists across the nation continue to target single-use plastic bags, straws and other plastic products for elimination as the new legislative sessions begin. Massachusetts will most assuredly advance a plastic bag ban, although 135 communities already have a local ban of some sort on their books. The state senate approved a sweeping…
Read More »