CC 2016-01-26_12a Supplemental Info. No. 2• -
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TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: TERESA McCLISH, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
AGENDA ITEM 12.a. — JANUARY 26, 2016 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE REGULATING EXPANDED
POLYSTYRENE FOOD CONTAINERS AND PRODUCTS; LOCATION —
CITYWIDE; APPLICANT — CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE
DATE: JANUARY 26, 2016
Attached is a comment letter received on the proposed project.
cc: City Manager
City Attorney
City Clerk
Public Review Binder
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Conserving Resources. Preventing Pollution. Protecting the Environment.
January 26, 2016
Mayor Jim Hill & City Council Members
City of Arroyo Grande
300 E. Branch St.
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
RE: Expanded Polystyrene Ban - SUPPORT
Dear Mayor Hill & City Council Members,
Californians Against Waste (CAW) is an environmental policy and advocacy organization with thousands of
members across Southern California, and we respectfully urge your support for the expanded polystyrene
ordinance scheduled to come before the City Council tomorrow.
Polystyrene takeout food packaging is a major, and easily preventable, source of pollution. Light, easily airborne,
and prone to break into small pieces, it can be easily transported by wind and rain into the environment even when
"properly" disposed of. With Californians using 165,000 tons of polystyrene each year for packaging and food
containers, it's no surprise that beach cleanup studies show polystyrene to be one of the most common forms of
litter. Plastic pollution has killed thousands of marine birds, sea turtles and other species, and threatens both
human health as well as California's multi - billion dollar ocean -based economy. According to the US EPA, local
governments in California spend as much as $411 million each year to prevent plastic food packaging and other
commonly littered items from ending up in streets, storm drains, beaches, rivers and the ocean. 'Those opposed to
polystyrene alternatives due to cost differences don't take into account the burden and hidden cost of cleaning it
up after use.
Recycling of this problem material is not a viable option. Despite decades of promises from the plastic industry
for a comprehensive recycling infrastructure, no widespread recycling scheme for polystyrene has ever been
successfully implemented over the long term. Along with limited recycling opportunities, food contamination
issues and the lightweight quality of the material make it difficult to successfully recycle. Less than 1 % is
recycled. Moreover, due to the low market value of recycled polystyrene, recyclers can actually lose money.
Plastic pollution is a global problem with local solution. Ninety cities and counties, including dozens of coastal
communities, have already banned polystyrene. Such an accomplishment is a proven solution for combating
waste as well as the costs associated with cleanup. We commend the City's leadership and urge you to adopt the
polystyrene ordinance.
Sincerely,
Mark Munav
Executive Director
921 1 1th Street. Suite 420 o Sacramento, CA 95814 o (916) 443 -5422 FAX: (916) 443 -3912 e www.cawrecycles . org