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Home My WebLink About8.2 Plastic Bottle Styrofoam BanG~~~ OF DU~~~2 ~9~~~~',g~ CITY C ~~~~~~ STAFF REPORT L E R K ~c~~,,~ ~l DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL File #^~0 D^-~ D^ DATE: September 21, 2010 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Joni L. Pattillo, City Manager SUBJE . Single-use Plastic Beverage Bottle and Styrofoam Product Ban Policy Prepared By: Martha Aja, Environmental Specialist EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The City Council will consider adopting a policy that discontinues the use of City supplied single-use plastic beverage bottles at City sponsored activities. In addition, the City Council will consider adopting a policy to discontinue the purchase and use of Styrofoam products by the City for City functions and activities. FINANCIAL IMPACT: No impact. RECOMMENDATION: It is Staff's recommendation that the City Council adopt a Resolution establishing a policy that bans the City's purchase and use of single-use plastic beverage bottles and Styrofoam products at City sponsored activities. . _. ~..` ~ ~~ Submitted B : Senior Ad nistrative Analyst Re iewed Assistant City Manager Page 1 of 2 ITEM NO. •~• DESCRIPTION: The bottled water industry is the second largest commercial beverage enterprise in the United States and has experienced significant growth in recent years. For example, in 1976, one and a half (1.5) gallons of bottled water was consumed per person in the United States. In 2008, thirty (30) gallons of bottled water was consumed per person in the United States. The increased use of plastic beverage bottles in the United States has had negative environmental consequences due to the significant amount of resources required for the manufacture of plastic beverage bottles, which results in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In particular, an estimated 17 million barrels of oil are used to make the plastic beverage bottles that Americans use each year. Plastic beverage bottles are recyclable, however, only a small percentage (17%) of plastic beverage bottles are actually recycled (per San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, Pacific Institute). If the City Council approves the proposed ban on City supplied single-use plastic bottles, the City of Dublin would be joining other cities in California that have passed similar plastic beverage bottle bans for city specific use. The City of Santa Barbara banned plastic water bottles in 2008, which prohibited the purchase of plastic bottled water for city meetings and events. Also in 2008, San Francisco's Mayor Newsom prohibited the City of San Francisco from purchasing bottled water. Numerous cities throughout California have also passed Styrofoam bans. Polystyrene (Styrofoam) is the most abundant type of non-cigarette litter. Styrofoam is a common environmental pollutant as well as a non-biodegradable substance that is commonly used as food service ware. Styrofoam is a pollutant that breaks down into smaller, non- biodegradable pieces that can be ingested by marine life and other wildlife frequently causing death. According to CalRecycle, polystyrene has significant environmental impacts with the manufacture and disposal of polystyrene resulting in substantial energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. In accordance with the proposed policy (Exhibit A to Attachment 1), the use of City supplied single-use plastic beverage bottles will be discontinued at all City activities. In addition, City Staff will discontinue the purchase and use of Styrofoam products for City functions and activities. The policy does not apply to any vendors at City activities. For example, outside vendors and organizations will still be allowed to sell and/or supply individual plastic bottles at City events, such as Day on the Glen and the St. Patrick's Day Festival. The single-use plastic beverage bottle and Styrofoam product ban is a step towards achieving the City's goal of increased waste diversion and reduced greenhouse gas emissions within the Dublin community. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: Not Applicable. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Resolution establishing a policy that bans the City's purchase and use of single-use plastic beverage bottles and Styrofoam products at City sponsored activities. Page 2 of 2 /~~ ~ RESOLUTION NO. XX - 10 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN ****~****** ESTABLISHING A POLICY THAT BANS THE CITY'S PURCHASE AND USE OF SINGLE- USE PLASTIC BOTTLES AND STYROFOAM PRODUCTS AT CITY SPONSORED ACTIVITIES WHEREAS, City of Dublin is a regional leader in promoting environmentally sensitive public policy; and WHEREAS, the bottled water industry has experienced significant growth in recent years; and WHEREAS, the manufacturing of plastic beverage bottles requires a substantial amount or resources which result in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; and WHEREAS, polystyrene (Styrofoam) is the most abundant type of non-cigarette litter; and WHEREAS, in 2006, the State of California enacted Assembly Bill (AB) 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, which requires California to reduce GHG statewide emissions to 1990 levels by 2020; and WHEREAS, reducing and eliminating waste, such as plastic beverage bottles and Styrofoam, that pollute our landfills is a good policy and helps the City reach its goals of achieving 75% diversion and reducing GHG emissions within the City; and WHEREAS, the City of Dublin wishes to set a positive example for the community on environmental matters; and WHEREAS, the Policy sets forth guiding principles for the development and implementation of the City of Dublin's single-use plastic beverage bottle and Styrofoam product ban at City sponsored activities to accomplish the following: 1. Ban the City's purchase and use of single-use plastic beverage bottles at City sponsored activities (City events, City meetings or purchased with City funds for Staff use). 2. Eliminate the purchase and use of Styrofoam products by the City for City functions and activities. Styrofoam cups previously used at water coolers and for hot beverages shall be replaced with plastic and paper cups. 3. Conduct outreach and provide means of educating all City Staff to create awareness about the single-use plastic beverage bottle and Styrofoam product ban and alternatives. 4. Reduce the adverse environmental impacts associated with plastic beverage bottles and Styrofoam. 5. Promote composting of cups at City sponsored activities. g, a q-r 7-l0 Attachment 1 ~ ~~ ~ NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Dublin does hereby adopt the policy attached hereto as Exhibit A entitled "Single-use Plastic Beverage Bottle and Styrofoam Product Ban Policy." PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 21 st day of September, 2010, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ATTEST: City Clerk Mayor Attachment 1 EXHIBIT A 3 ~ Single-use Plastic Beverage Bottle and Styrofoam Product Ban Policy Purpose This policy sets forth the guiding principles for the development and implementation of the City of Dublin's Single-use Plastic Beverage Bottle and Styrofoam Product Ban at City sponsored activities. Goals The goals of the Single-use Plastic Beverage Bottle and Styrofoam Product ban are to: 1) Eliminate the purchase and use of single-use plastic beverage bottles by the City at City sponsored activities (City events, City meetings or purchased with City funds for Staff use). 2) Eliminate the use of Styrofoam products at City offices. Styrofoam cups previously used at water coolers and for hot beverages shall be replaced with plastic or paper cups. 3) Conduct outreach and provide means of educating all City Staff to create awareness about the single-use plastic beverage bottle and Styrofoam product ban and alternatives. 4) Reduce the adverse environmental impacts associated with plastic beverage bottles and Styrofoam. 5) Promote composting of cups at City sponsored activities. Definitions 1) Single-use plastic beverage bottles - single-use beverage containers, which includes water, sports drink, juice and soda. 2) Styrofoam products - products such as cups or food ware containers made from polystyrene, which is a non-biodegradable substance. 3) City activities - events sponsored and/or hosted by the City of Dublin, including St. Patrick's Day festival, Day on the Glen, National Night Out, seasonal functions as well as business meetings and normal every day activities. 4) Vendor - a person or business that sells goods or services. Page 1 of 2 EXHIBIT A yb ~~ ~ Policy The purchase and use of City supplied individual single-use plastic beverage bottles is discontinued at City sponsored activities. In addition, City Staff will no longer purchase Styrofoam products for use at City facilities. This policy does not apply to any vendors at City sponsored activities. Policy Benefits As stated in the City of Dublin's vision, the City supports environmental stewardship and sustainability. As such, the City of Dublin is environmentally conscious and strives to reduce its carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions. Eliminating waste and reduction of non-biodegradable waste, such as plastic beverage bottles and Styrofoam in landfills, is a good policy. This ban is a step towards achieving the City's goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the City. Paae 2 of 2