HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-04-2014 pc VariousA PROPOSAL TO BAN THE SALE AND COMMERCIAL USE OF POLYSTYRENE
( "STYROFOAM ") FOOD AND DRINK CONTAINERS IN THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
Presented to the San Luis Obispo City Council, March 4, 2014
We represent a de facto coalition of local groups and individuals in this city, "SLO
FOAM FREE," whose goal is to institute a legal ban on the sale and commercial use of
polystyrene food and drink containers in restaurants and grocery stores. We have met
for several months to gather relevant information, gauge community support, and
research possible solutions for the elimination of this harmful substance. Our
conciusion is that it is time, past time, for San Luis Obispo to take action.
We were impressed to learn that currently at least 71 municipalities and counties -- -large
cities like San Francisco and San Jose - - -and smaller ones like Malibu, Half Moon Bay,
and Laguna Beach, have banned polystyrene. And the numbers are accelerating. Of
the 71 entities, 39 passed their ordinances from 2009 -13. San Luis Obispo is
increasingly bracketed by cities with bans, like Monterey and Ojai.
These municipalities are increasingly realizing that polystyrene is not worth it:
1. It contains dozens of toxic chemicals, some carcinogenic, that can leak into food and
drink, especially if hot.
2. Polystyrene is never compostable and cannot be recycled.
3. Since it is not biodegradable, it is one of the largest sources of litter, costing cities
and filling landfills.
4. Its diffusion into the environment harms thousands of fish and birdlife that ingest it.
5. The production of polystyrene requires the use of fossil fuels and toxins for its
manufacture.
Resistance to banning polystyrene has come mainly from chemical manufacturers and
some businesses, concerned about the possible costs of using recyclable substitutes.
Alternatives, however, have become noticeably more inexpensive and varied in recent
years. Thus major restaurants like McDonald's and Dunkin' Donuts have switched to
less harmful substitutes .
Our city rightfully prides itself as being an especially progressive one, yet in this area,
we are fast lagging behind. Let us join the many dozens of others in California in doing
away with this harmful substance.
Janine Rands (Chair, SLO FOAM FREE)
Green Team, SLO Unitarian - Universalists
805 -704 -0148
Sarah Bellum, Surfrider staff Mw; 4 L,014
503 - 715 -6252
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Lacey Kenyon, Environmental Science AGENDA
CORRESPONDENCE
Senior, Cal Poly
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