HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 191-09 City Event Enviro UtensilsRESOLUTION NO. 191 - 09
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
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REQUIRING THE USE OF
ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE FOOD UTENSILS AND PACKAGING
AT LARGE CITY EVENTS
WHEREAS, the City of Dublin holds large City events throughout the course of the year on
property owned or otherwise controlled by the City; and
WHEREAS, the City of Dublin has a duty to protect the natural environment, the economy,
and the health of its citizens; and
WHEREAS, effective ways to reduce the negative environmental impacts of throw-away food
utensils and packaging include reusing food utensils and packaging and using compostable and
biodegradable take-out materials made from renewable resources such as paper, bamboo, corn
starch and sugarcane; and
WHEREAS, polystyrene foam is a common environmental pollutant as well as a non-
biodegradable substance that is commonly used as food utensils and packaging by food vendors
operating in the City of Dublin at City events; and
WHEREAS, food utensils and packaging made from polystyrene foam are not biodegradable,
returnable, or practically recyclable and biodegradable or compostable food utensils and packaging
are an affordable, safe, and more ecologically sound alternative; and
WHEREAS, affordable biodegradable or compostable food utensils and packaging products
are increasingly available for several food service applications such as utensils, straws, lids, cold
cups, plates, bowls, hinge containers and trays and these products are more ecologically sound than
polystyrene foam materials and can be turned into a compostable product; and
WHEREAS, many businesses in Dublin and neighboring cities engage in food waste recycling
and it has been demonstrated that the use of biodegradable or compostable food utensils and
packaging can reduce waste disposal costs when the products are taken to composting facilities as
part of a food waste recycling program rather than disposed of in a landfill; and
WHEREAS, disposable food utensils and packaging constitutes a large portion of the litter in
the City of Dublin's storm drains, waterways, streets, parks and public places and the cost of
managing this litter is significant and rising; and
WHEREAS, replacing non-biodegradable food utensils and packaging with biodegradable
food utensils and packaging products in Dublin will further protect the health and safety of the
residents of Dublin, the City of Dublin's natural environment, waterways and wildlife, would advance
the City's goal of 75% diversion of waste by 2010 and also advance the City's goal of supporting
environmental stewardship and sustainability through the preservation of its natural surroundings;
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NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Dublin does RESOLVE that vendors
at all future Large City events, which serve more than 2,000 persons per day, will be prohibited
from providing prepared food in any polystyrene or non-biodegradable food utensils and
packaging unless they can show an affordable biodegradable or compostable product is not
available for a specific application.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 15th day of December, 2009, by the
following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Biddle, Hart, Hildenbrand, and Mayor Sbranti
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Scholz
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor
ATTEST:
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City Clerk
Reso No. 191-09, Adopted 12-15-09, Item 8.5 Page 2 of 2