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EAC subcommittee readies outreach and data for proposed single‑use plastics restrictions
Summary
The EAC’s plastics subcommittee reported a questionnaire, a one‑page litter summary and outreach plans aimed at single‑use plastic bags, polystyrene takeout containers and utensils; members are preparing to meet businesses and gather usage and expenditure data to support a sample ordinance.
Members of the Environmental Advisory Council’s plastics subcommittee reported progress toward an ordinance to restrict single‑use items, including plastic bags, polystyrene takeout containers (expanded polystyrene) and single‑use utensils and straws.
The subcommittee said it created a standardized questionnaire and a Google form for businesses and institutions to report usage and spending on the targeted items, aiming to quantify local usage and to surface potential cost‑savings from switching to alternatives. A one‑page summary prepared by members combines local litter‑collection counts and regional cleanup data; the subcommittee said the three targeted item types account for about 16% of macro litter collected in the city, according to their analysis.
Committee members discussed technical definitions. The subcommittee intends to focus on expanded polystyrene (commonly called Styrofoam in conversation), while clarifying that some clear takeout clamshells are a different resin and may not be covered depending on language in the sample ordinance. One member noted that polystyrene is resin code #6 and that the ordinance language can specifically name “polystyrene takeout containers” to cover foamed and some hard polystyrene items.
Members said enforcement is one of the key questions and that they will consult other municipalities for enforcement approaches. They also reported outreach plans that include meeting with local food service businesses, nonprofit meals programs and institutions that may be affected. The group plans to begin direct outreach in June and was preparing materials to hand to businesses; members also said city council staff had been contacted about presenting the initiative to the full council.
The subcommittee requested and received several volunteers from the EAC and the public to assist with interviews and data collection. No ordinance vote occurred at the meeting; the subcommittee will continue gathering usage data and meeting with stakeholders before presenting a draft ordinance or sample language to the EAC and City Council.
