Loading...
CC 03-01-2022 Study Session Item No. 1. Single-Use Plastics_Staff PresentationMarch 1, 2022 Ursula Syrova, Environmental Programs Manager Single-Use Plastics Ordinance Study Session CC 03-01-2022 Study Session Item No. 1 •Concerns: •Foodware gets littered •Plastic foodware can leach chemicals into food •Plastic degrades into microplastics, ingested by animals •Plastic recycling markets are challenging •2013: Cupertino banned single-use plastic carryout bags •2014: Cupertino banned use of EPS foam foodware •2017: Zero Waste Policy adopted -supports reusable over single- use, reducing unnecessary single-use foodware & packaging •2020: Single-Use Plastics Ordinance -City Work Program item Background Tons of discarded takeout food packaging per year 300 tons per year pre- COVID •Plastic cups and containers if empty, clean, and dry •No utensils or straws or other tiny items •No expanded polystyrene •No compostable plastics •Aluminum containers (empty, clean, and dry) and clean foil Foodware accepted as recyclable in Cupertino: •Fiber-based cups, containers, utensils •No compostable plastic (except BPI-certified compostable bags for collecting food scraps) Foodware accepted as compostable in Cupertino: Ordinance –Recommended Elements June 1, 2022 Accessories only on request (per AB1276) •Businesses must ask customers if they want straws, utensils, condiment packets, spill plugs, stir sticks, etc. •No single-use plastic cups, containers, utensils •No compostable plastic foodware •Require fiber-based: paper, wood, bamboo •Allow aluminum foil-based items •Require reusables for dine-in •No local sale of: •Expanded polystyrene foam foodware •Compostable plastic foodware Ordinance –Recommended Elements June 2023 •Additional time needed to comply •Significant economic hardship •Unique packaging hardship •Plastic straws available as an accommodation to people with disabilities who request them to enjoy equal access to food and beverage services within the City. Temporary Exemptions: ? •Ban local sale of single-use plastic foodware made from traditional plastic •Ban local sale of other expanded foam products: packing peanuts, ice chests •Charge customers for single-use items to encourage reusables •Require a % of reusables at large events (e.g.refillable souvenir cups or deposit/return systems) For Future Consideration: •Pilot reusable to-go foodware in Cupertino •Offer technical and financial assistance to businesses •Amend our plastic bag ordinance: •Require produce bags be compostable •No plastic bags for takeout food orders Additional Recommendations from the Sustainability Commission: Impact on food providers: Impact on food providers: Impact on food providers: •Restaurants that use all single-use foodware for dine-in save money switching to reusables according to case studies •Might require additional dishwashing capacity, although the case studies find that to be rare, especially for smaller businesses •Financial and technical assistance can help transition to reusables. 56.7% of businesses surveyed were interested in that idea. •65.3% of businesses were interested in reusable to-go ware Switching to Reusables: •Requiring compostable fiber-based foodware •Mountain View •San Mateo County •City of Alameda Other jurisdictions: •Survey of food businesses in Summer 2021: •100 businesses (88 in-person, 11 via email) •Cross-section of restaurant types (fast food, independently owned, dine-in, franchises, boba tea, coffee/café, grocery, dessert/bakery, small to large) •Main concerns: •Cost of alternatives •Concern about maintaining business operations (boba cup heat-sealing process, proper packaging of takeout foods, etc.) Outreach to Businesses: •Youth -supportive •Unhoused and low income –concern over any increased costs getting passed along •Seniors –prefer food deliveries in plastic bags vs paper •Disability community –retain access to plastic straws, limited ability to wash dishes Outreach to Special Interest Groups: 111 customers took a survey •61% supported moving away from plastic •35% are concerned about single-use generally •76.6% say it would be positive for the customer experience •87.7% said they’ve received unwanted utensils or napkins with takeout orders •91% worry about the waste from single-use Outreach to Customers: •Scene article •Postcard mailed to all food businesses •Email to all survey respondents •In-person postcard delivery to boba, coffee places •Sustainability Commission •Chamber of Commerce •engagecupertino.org/single-use-plastics Outreach for Awareness About this Study Session: Next Steps 2121 •April 2022 •Possible 1st, 2nd readings Questions? 22