HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-02-2014 ss1 rands (2)j /, ,1T -"TTA T, 4
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ITEM NO.: fSb 1
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Janine Rands, SLO FOAM FREE CHAI F1T_rffMMtatan&,-San Speech to ity Council Sept 2, 2014
Madame Marx and Council MemberAP G � ,•� Hello. I am Janine Rands, residing at L Obispo. I'm here this afternoon
as a private citizen and Chair of SLO FOAM FREE. This is a coalition of citizens concerned with
the blight of Polystyrene use, which becomes litter and a pollutant. Our vision is that San Luis
Obispo becomes the next Polystyrene -free city in California. SLO FOAM FREE was formed out
of the GREEN TEAM - a function of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, who formally
sponsored our efforts, where we had meetings and who funded the print of our 2 -pg. flyer -
SLO FOAM FREE. We've disseminated this throughout the City and at local special events.
I am frustrated with the increasing amount of unrecyclable waste and litter that Polystyrene
from "to -go- containers ", packing peanuts, cooler chests, toys, and other forms of foam plastic
end up in our parks, streets, highways, streams, Laguna Lake, storm drains, and eventually the
Pacific Ocean. Yesterday, our family spent the afternoon at Grover Beach. On our way back to
the parking lot, this Foam Cooler was in the Recycle Bin. This kind of Polystyrene litter is like all
Styrofoam - designed as a single -use item, then trashed. It cannot be recycled in our County,
and ends up filling a significant space in the landfill.
So, why does San Luis Obispo needs a Polystyrene Ordinance? Because to this date, the City
allows the use and sale of a big pollutant and health hazard - Expanded Polystyrene in the form
of Take -Out Food Ware, packing peanuts, cool chests, etc. It is even being used at our hospitals
to serve food to patients.
There are now at least 81 California cities with ordinances that state, and I will insert our own
city's name: "That the City of San Luis Obispo has a duty to protect its natural environment, its
economy, and the health of its citizens."
Soon after Polystyrene food containers were introduced into CA around 1986, the City of
Berkley was the first to announce a ban in 1988. Their Ordinance stated and I quote: r1
E. Takeout food packaging constitutes the single greatest source
of litter in Berkeley and is a significant contributor to the
Lutal amount of waste eriteriny Llie CiLy's waste stree►m.
San Luis Obispo is 26 years behind the times.
One of the better ordinances is with The City of Santa Cruz which has like conditions to San Luis
Obispo. In 1989, The City of Santa Cruz tried to implement a voluntary ordinance to retail food
establishments and citizens to not use Foam, while providing extensive education and outreach
to the community. Because the ordinance did not eliminate foam so the City found it necessary
to adopt mandatory restrictions. In 2007, the City passed the "Environmentally Acceptable
Food Packaging Ordinancei'.
Santa Cruz again amended their Ordinance July 23, 2012: "To restrict the SALE of polystyrene
foam products in the County. This specifically includes products such as polystyrene cups,
plates, bowls, coolers and beach toys, the source of much of the polystyrene debris found on
our local beaches. The ordinance exempts food products which are packaged outside the
County, as well as products where polystyrene is used for insulation or flotation purposes and is
completely encased by a more durable material. Examples of this include surfboards, boats and
some construction materials. The ordinance also provides for updating this list as new products
emerge. "2
I urge this Council to utilize the City of Santa Cruz's Ordinance - one of the most comprehensive
in the state, which has developed community education through flyers, bulletins and an
excellent website. These need to be adapted for San Luis Obispo. While we are at the business
of designing our own ordinance and educating our community, we ask you to jump ahead of
the laborious years of compliance that Santa Cruz endured — and just go for the full Ordinance
of use and the retail sale of Foam and its products. We urge you to go one step further than the
"Take Out To -Go- Boxes" and follow suit of Santa Cruz who amended their Polystyrene Ban
"ORDINANCE NO. 2012"2
We know that litter will continue as people come to visit our beautiful city and surrounding
coastal towns - they will bring their FOAM with them. But, as the word spreads, and they
cannot purchase it in any retail store, that the litter will significantly be reduced.
I won't stop with today's exercise of our presentation today. I plan to continue my efforts to
convince our neighboring cities and unincorporated towns to become Foam Free. I want to get
a California Senator to resurrect Senate Bill 568. In 2011, Congressman Alan Lowenthal (Long
Beach), authored 56 568 - the Polystyrene Food Container bill to "prohibit the distribution and
use of EPS foam containers by food vendors for prepared food. It includes definitions for
customers, food vendors, polystyrene foam food containers, and prepared food. SB 568 would
reduce the amount of polystyrene foam in the waste stream and environment." Unfortuantely,
SB 568 failed to pass the Assembly floor on the last day of session. (It passed from the Senate
21 -15 on 6/2/11, from the Assembly Natural Resources Committee 6 -3 on 6/27/11, and from
the Assembly Appropriations Committee 9 -5 on 8/25/11.)
SLO FOAM FREE
Stop the use of Expanded Polystyrene*
All Plastic FOAM "Styrofoam"
in San Luis Obispo County
SLO FOAM FREE is a coalition of groups and individuals in San
Luis Obispo County whose goal is to eliminate the sale and
commercial use of EPS* foam (commonly referred as
Styrofoam"") at restaurants, food vendors, caterers, and grocery
stores. We urge citizens to not purchase or use it at all,
especially at public venues like the beaches and parks. It is bad
for the environment, not recycled, a threat to public health, and
costly to taxpayers. We are starting efforts with SLO City Council
to create an ordinance pertaining to the "Environmentally
Acceptable Packaging and Products ".'
• 71 CITIES in California have banned foam -- large ones like San Francisco and San Jose;
smaller ones like Ojai, Malibu and Santa Cruz -- have ordinance bans.
• FOAM EPS contains Benzene, Styrene, Ethylene, and Hydrochlorofluorocarbons — on EPAs
Hazardous Substances List. The federal government has determined that Styrene is "reasonably
anticipated to be a human carcinogen." When in contact with fatty, acid or hot foods, Styrene leaks into
food/beverages, or when heated in a microwave. Chronic Styrene exposure results in a multiple list of
cancers, health problems and is a neurotoxin. According to the EPA, Styrene residues are found in
100% of all samples of human fat tissue — every American is exposed.
• FOAM food packaging is not biodegradable, compostable or recycled in SLO County.
• FOAM is lightweight and aerodynamic — blows into gutters and storm drains even AVOID
when "properly" disposed of. It is also very brittle, so breaks into tiny pieces, making
cleanup impossible. EPS comprises 15% of storm drain litter.
• FOAM kills marine and other wildlife because it mimics food but causes starvation or
choking if ingested, causing death. Floating plastic makes up 80% of marine debris.
• FOAM manufacture requires the use of fossil fuels - releases hydrocarbons into the air PS
to form ground -level ozone, a component of "smog ", contributing to climate change.
• FOAM Food service packaging is not recycled because it is not economically viable to
store, transport, degrease and wash before recycling. Litter clean -up costs taxpayers
thousands, and yet is still ineffective.
*EPS: Expanded Polystyrene
EPS also found in hundreds of items like CD /DVD cases, toys, computer and radio housing, thermostat casing,
plastic cutlery, drinking straws, clear plastic and SOLO cups and plates, small appliances like hairdryers.
A ban ordinance would include wording like: "The City of San Luis Obispo has a duty to protect its
natural environment, its economy, and the health of its citizens.
POLYSTYRENE LITTER MUST BE STOPPED AT ITS SOURCE