Youth commission hears WayZero presentation on plastic alternatives, e-bike access and local climate updates

The Encinitas Youth Commission on Feb. 5 heard a presentation from Ron Fadness, managing director and co‑founder of WayZero, a San Diego‑based environmental nonprofit, about sustainable plastic alternatives, sustainable transportation and local climate‑plan engagement.

Fadness told commissioners that many compostable, fiberboard or seaweed‑based takeout containers still contain wax or plastic linings that can release microplastics when used for food. “Those plastic alternatives, while they are more sustainable than your polystyrene or hard shell plastics, they might contain and most typically do contain wax or plastic, which when you eat from, it does contain microplastics,” Fadness said.

Fadness highlighted cost as a key barrier for restaurants switching to sustainable plastic alternatives (SPAs). He said typical current containers cost roughly 10–15¢ each, while SPA options can cost two to three times more and “sometimes” as much as the figure he quoted in the presentation. He urged the commission to consider incentives or other measures to help local businesses absorb higher product costs rather than pass them on to consumers.

On transportation, Fadness recommended requiring charging infrastructure at new developments, expanding protected bike lanes and supporting micro‑mobility programs such as shared e‑bikes and scooters. He proposed pilot projects — for example, e‑bike charging stations and small car‑free zones — to test public reaction and build support. “One of the biggest things we’ve also found … is people are willing to ride their e‑bikes to and from school,” he said, adding that access to charging is a frequent complaint.

Fadness also praised local education groups and suggested growing public programs. He specifically referenced the Solana Center as a strong local education model and proposed subsidized or city‑funded programming to remove cost barriers for marginalized residents. He recommended quarterly public updates on the city’s climate plan and noted that the commission and community would benefit from a recent baseline or annual progress reporting.

Commissioners and staff thanked Fadness and noted upcoming civic events that could pair with sustainability outreach, including Arbor Day and possible Earth Day activities. Vice Chair Kelly complimented the presentation and encouraged commissioners to share the information in schools and community settings.

Why this matters: The youth commission provides a venue for local leaders and youth organizations to present ideas that could influence city outreach, education and pilot infrastructure efforts. Fadness framed the issues around the twin obstacles of product cost and public awareness, and he urged partnerships between nonprofits, schools and city programs to lower barriers for businesses and residents.

What’s next: The presentation was informational; no formal action or directive was taken by the commission during the meeting. Commissioners and staff discussed possible event collaborations and noted the commission’s existing work plan and ad hoc committees as potential follow‑up channels.