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Port approves corrected 'zero-waste' events policy limiting single-use water bottles
Summary
The Port Commission approved an amended events policy that restricts the sale and distribution of certain single-use plastic items at port-hosted events, directing the prohibition toward single-use plastic bottles used for non-carbonated, non‑flavored water; staff and public speakers urged future strengthening of the policy.
The Port Commission on Feb. 14 approved an amended '0 waste' events policy (Item 8F) after staff corrected language in the resolution and commissioners discussed the policy's scope.
Rich Berman of Port Real Estate told the commission staff found a drafting error in materials circulated Feb. 9 that had inadvertently restricted single-use plastic bottles for carbonated beverages rather than the intended target: single-use plastic bottles containing water. "The way it was written ... it restricted the sale of single use plastic bottles that contained carbonated water or sodas ... and the intent was to restrict the sale of single use plastic bottles that contained water only," Berman said, and he presented the corrected wording.
Commissioner discussion focused on tightening the language to avoid loopholes. One commissioner proposed a simple formulation: "this prohibition applies only to single use plastic bottles that are used for water, period." Staff and another commissioner clarified that the final approved sentence would read that the prohibition applies only to "single use plastic bottles that are used for non‑carbonated or flavored water." After a motion and second, the commission voted to carry the resolution.
Public commenter Ruth Gervanes supported the policy and urged the commission to strengthen it over time: she said she was "very happy to see that number reduced to 5,000" (referring to the threshold for events covered by the policy) but encouraged lowering it further and making refill/jug stations more widely available at events.
Staff noted the policy is a first step and said future measures (including balloon-release bans and broader single-use restrictions) remain under consideration.
Provenance: presentation, discussion, public comment and vote recorded in the transcript from SEG 302 through SEG 507.
