HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-02-2015 PH1 GomezCOUNCIL MEETING: D I I S
ITEM NO.:
Lomeli, Monique
Subject: FW: Expanded Polystyrene Ban
MAY 2 7 2015
From: Aaron's Email
Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2015 5:44:59 PM
To: Marx, Jan; Ashbaugh, John; Carpenter, Dan; Christianson, Carlyn; Rivoire, Dan
Subject: Expanded Polystyrene Ban
Sorry if there are some typos, I am writing from my phone. This subject is too important for me to wait to get
back to a computer. As you all know from earlier emails I am a supporter of this ban. I own a Downtown
business, I grew up in this city, I am on the Board of the Downtown Association, and I am on the Economic
Development committee for The Chamber of Commerce. The point being that I truly care about this
community. I care about the people who live here, the businesses and farms that operate here and the
environment that supports it all. This ban is another great milestone for SLO. It is a very necessary step for us to
take as a community.
I realize you have had "30" SLO businesses write in as opposition to this ban. Which is intriguing to me with
how much outreach there has been from Greg Hermann and Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber had a study
session, that I participated in, out of the hundreds of businesses that Charlene Rosales reached out to 5 of us
showed up. All of which were in support of the ban, but did want to learn from Greg what the ordinance would
contain.
It makes me think that those who are opposed to the ban either are misinformed about what this ordinance
contains or they are just opposed to any sort of gov't intervention of any kind. The reason I feel the opposition
may be misinformed is do to that fact that the main argument that has come up in conversation and in interviews
is that it would cause undo financial hardship. Built in to this ordinance, as you are all well aware of, is the
clause that allows the business to be exempt if there is a 15% increase in cost. Which really completely negates
the higher cost argument. Those using that argument could literally add $.10 to the cost of each meal and pay
for more than the extra cost of recyclable to -go containers.
If it is just being against gov't regulation then that is a bit more tough. But when it comes to products that are
harmful to our environment, to us as individuals, our city cannot recycle them, and public funds pay for there
clean up ... well someone needs to step in. That would have to be gov't. We used to be able to play with mercury
in schools, we had asbestos in all of our buildings and cigarettes were not seen as a health hazard. As our
understanding of our products evolves so should our policies. 80 cities in our state have already adopted similar
bans as well as our nations capital.
As we all know many forward thinking and/or environmentally conscious businesses have already switched to
renewable containers. It has not forced them out of business. My concern is without a ban we will have
businesses that will never make the switch. As gov't officials it is your health and safety far outweighs public
opinion. I am including links to 2 polystyrene fact sheets one by
Harvard http:lf isites.harvard.edu /fs /docs /icb. topic_ 967858. files /PolystyreiieFactSheets.pdf
And Illinois university: hLV : / /www.bias.niu.edu/news� events /Dangers_of Polystyrene.pdf
This is not groundbreaking news, but somehow there are still those unwilling to accept these facts. Why? Either
misinformation or because their concerns of price outweigh the health concerns of others. Those are the bare
facts.
Please support this ban. It is such an important step for us all!
Thanks you all for your time again ;) it certainly won't be the last!
Please add this to public comment for this subject.
Aaron Gomez
Aaron's cellular device
theaoldconcept.com
SiblingStudioJewelry.com
Our natural resources are precious, let's use them with care!