CC 05-03-2022 Item No. 24. Single-Use Plastics - First Reading_Staff PresentationMay 3, 2022
Ursula Syrova, Environmental Programs Manager
Single-Use Plastics Ordinance
First Reading
CC 05-03-2022 Item No. 24
•Concerns:
•Foodware litter, chemical migration, microplastics,
ingestion, challenging recycling markets
•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
•2021 & 2022: Sustainability Commission input
•March 1, 2022: Council Study Session
Background
•Develop draft ordinance language
•Include temporary waivers to reduce impacts to businesses
•Explore collaboration with schools
•Reach out to larger corporate interests
•Explore a pilot of reusable foodware for takeout
•Explore coordinating efforts with surrounding cities
•Consider requiring compostable plastic produce bags
•Clarify concerns about bio-plastics
•Compare the GHG impact of plastic vs compostable foodware
Study Session Feedback
Ordinance – Recommended Elements
June 1, 2022
Ask First: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, stir sticks,
straws for dine-in or takeout
Ordinance – Recommended Elements
June 2023
•No use or sale of compostable plastics
•No serving food, drinks using compostable plastic
foodware
•Ban on the sale of compostable plastic foodware
Ordinance – Recommended Elements
June 2023
•No local sale of expanded polystyrene (EPS) items:
•Already prohibited to serve in EPS
•Ban on the sale of EPS foodware
•Ban on the sale of EPS coolers
Ordinance – Recommended Elements
June 2023
•Allow fiber-based takeout foodware:
paper, wood, bamboo, bagasse
•Allow aluminum foil-based items
Ordinance – Recommended Elements
June 2023
•Require reusables for dine-in
Ordinance – Recommended Elements
June 2023
June 2023:
•Amend our plastic bag ordinance:
•No single-use plastic bags for takeout food orders
Now:
•Code Cleanup to match State law:
•Require retailers (not restaurants) to charge $0.10 for
reusable carryout bags. CMC currently allows reusable
bags to be given at no charge, but that is not in
alignment with State law. In practice in Cupertino this is
already happening.
Ordinance – Single-Use Carryout Bags
•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:
•Pilot reusable to-go foodware in Cupertino
•Offer technical and financial assistance to businesses
•Studies show switching to reusables pays off
•Help with the initial investment if needed?
Additional Recommendations:
Impact on food providers:
•Requiring compostable fiber-based foodware
•Mountain View
•San Mateo County
•City of Alameda
Other jurisdictions:
x
•Survey of food businesses in Summer 2021:
•99 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
•Large corporate food providers – space for
scaling up dishwashing, availability of labor
•Disability community – retain access to plastic
straws, limited ability to wash dishes
•Schools – no dishwashers, supply chain, budget
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, Mercury News
•Postcard mailed to all food businesses
•Emails 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:
•Impact to boba places – allow unique
packaging exemption for an additional year?
•Offer financial assistance as part of the
technical assistance RFP?
•Plastic hot and cold lids are not included
Notable points:
Next Steps
2222
•May 3, 2022
•2nd reading
Questions?
23