HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 8.2 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.
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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
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RESOLUTION NO. XX - 10
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
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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.
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Attachment 1
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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
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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
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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.
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