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Committee raises concern over plastic erosion netting; staff to explore spec changes and contractor guidance
Summary
Members flagged use of plastic erosion netting that fragments into microplastics, and staff agreed to develop specification language for internal projects and to consult the city attorney about citywide requirements for contractors.
Chair (S1) raised concerns about plastic erosion-control netting and landscape webbing left embedded in park soils and along rights-of-way, saying the material breaks down into microplastics and creates visual and environmental problems.
Staff member (S2) said many products marketed as "photodegradable" can fragment into microplastics and that the city can address the issue by adding specific language to contract specifications and working with landscape architects to require alternative materials. "A lot of what you're seeing out there is photodegradable, so if it does break down, it just breaks down into microplastics," S2 said, urging better specification language for bids and contracts.
Committee members discussed two paths: (1) an internal specification change for city-staff projects and (2) a broader ordinance or contract spec for citywide contractor requirements. Staff recommended first updating internal bid specifications and consulting the city attorney before pursuing a citywide ordinance. Members also suggested education and a sustainability spotlight to point residents and contractors toward alternatives.
The committee asked staff to work with the public-works and planning departments and bring draft specification language and recommended contractor language to the next meeting. No ordinance was initiated; staff described the next step as specification drafting and legal review.
