HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-02-2015 PH1 ChristieLomeli, Monique
Subject: FW: Sierra Club comment: 6/2 Styrofoam ban agenda item - SUPPORT
From: Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club [ mailto:sierraclubBCaagmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2015 4:54 PM
To: E -mail Council Website
Subject: Sierra Club comment: 6/2 Styrofoam ban agenda item - SUPPORT
Dear Mayor Marx and Councilmembers,
In the course of implementing your Climate Action Plan, which calls for an ordinance requiring biodegradable
food packaging in restaurants and other food vendors, we urge San Luis Obispo to join the more than 80
municipalities and counties in California, from San Francisco to Ojai to Laguna Beach, that have banned
polystyrene.
Many of these bans have now been in place for years. They are successful. In each case, when a ban was first
proposed, a small percentage of local businesses were in opposition, saying they could not afford it. This
objection is always heard when any business is required to make any change, from reducing polluting
emissions to installing seat belts and air bags in cars.
What every municipality that has put a ban in place realized was that they could not afford the cost of
styrofoam and expanded polystyrene in the environment.
To reiterate what we have said since the ban was first proposed, those costs include the fact that polystyrene
is not compostable and can't be recycled; its toxic chemicals and carcinogens can leak into food and liquid;
and it is one of the largest sources of litter, costing cities, filling landfills and harming fish and birds.
For all of these reasons, please ban the sale of polystyrene products in San Luis Obispo.
Thank you,
Andrew Christie Director "
Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club
MAY 2 7 2015
San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
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COUNCIL MEETINGJtQ Q 115__.
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