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CC - ACTION ITEM: (1) Discussion of Proposals from Ballona Creek Renaissance to Ban Single-Use Plastic Beverage Bottles, Balloons, Smoking, and Single-Use Bags not Exempted by California Public Resources Code; and (2) Direction to City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: April 29, 2024
Contact Person/Dept: Sean Singletary/Public Works/EPO
Phone Number: (310) 253-6457
Fiscal Impact: Yes [ ] No [X] General Fund: Yes [ ] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [ ] No [X]
Public Notification: E-Mail: Meetings and Agendas - City Council 04/24/2024)
Department Approval: Yanni Demitri, Director of Public Works, City Engineer (03/26/2024)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) discuss proposals received from Ballona Creek Renaissance to ban single-use plastic beverage bottles; balloons; smoking; and single-use plastic bags not exempted by California Public Resources Code; and (2) provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
On March 23, 2023, Ballona Creek Renaissance (BCR) presented four proposals aimed at removing pollutants from the region’s waterways to the City Council Sustainability Subcommittee. BCR presented a breakdown of items that are found in Coastal Cleanup events, showing that cigarette butts and plastic beverage bottles make up close to 40% of the debris that is collected from waterways.
Single-Use Plastic Beverage Bottles
The first proposal is a ban on single-use plastic beverage bottles, which would be amended into the City’s existing Waste Reduction Regulations, Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) Chapter 5.07. Los Angeles International Airport (June 2023) and San Francisco International Airport (August 2019) have enacted similar bans, and the City of South Lake Tahoe and Town of Truckee recently banned the sale of single-use water bottles. This proposal would prohibit the sale and use of single-use plastic bottles for beverages, both water and otherwise. Alternatives exist, including cans, which are not as often seen in waterways due to their monetary value in the recycling market. Glass and beverage boxes were discussed as alternatives but less sustainable options. Current City Waste Reduction Regulations already ban plastic water bottles in City facilities and at City events.
Balloons
The second proposal would also amend CCMC Chapter 5.07 to ban the use and sale of balloons in the City. Similar bans have been adopted by beachside cities of Laguna Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach. Both mylar and latex balloons would be included in this ban. This restriction would have the added benefit of mitigating power outages and wildfires that can be caused by errant balloons.
Cigarette Butts
The third proposal would amend CCMC Chapter 9.11 to expand the prohibition of outdoor smoking Citywide and considers a tobacco sales ban. Cigarette butts are disposed of from moving cars and in streets, where they enter storm drains and eventually Ballona Creek and the ocean. The chemicals and microplastics contained in cigarettes are detrimental to sea organisms. The Cities of Manhattan Beach (January 2021) and Beverly Hills (January 2021) are the first two cities in the country to enact such bans.
Single-Use Plastic Carryout Bags - Expansion of Ban
Finally, BCR’s fourth proposal would amend CCMC Chapter 11.16 to expand the prohibition of single-use plastic carryout bags exempted by SB 270, the State’s plastic bag ban. This proposal is modeled after Cities of Los Angeles and Carlsbad. In addition to ending up in the ocean and landfill, plastic bags cause issues for recycling and organics processors when customers mistakenly use these bags to place their recyclables in, and they get stuck in the mechanics of the processing machinery. Recent studies have shown that since the State’s plastic bag ‘ban’ in 2014, that the number of plastic bags has actually increased due to proliferation of unsustainable plastic alternatives meant to be multiple-use and thereby subvert the ban. They are not accepted by any recycling programs in the state and are meant to be returned to stores.
Sustainability Subcommittee Recommendation
There were several public comments addressing the proposals at the Sustainability Subcommittee Meeting. All were in opposition or neutral on the bans.
After the presentation, the Sustainability Subcommittee discussed the proposals and recommended that the proposals be brought to City Council for consideration.
Due to the broad scope of the four proposed bans and need to determine economic impacts to businesses and the City, as well as which City Department will lead public and business outreach efforts, City Council is being requested to determine next steps, including a prioritization of the proposals.
Enforcement
Enacting any or all of the proposed regulations would require extensive education and outreach before enforcement can begin. For existing Waste Reduction Regulations, Public Works staffing can only provide reactive enforcement. Public education and outreach are currently the preferred methods of enforcement, however, fines may be assessed by the City’s Code Compliance Officers as needed.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact to the City associated with the discussion of this item. Should City Council direct the City Manager to begin the process of preparing ordinances for any or all of the bans, additional funding will be required for the effort of public and business outreach.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
1. Discuss proposals received from Ballona Creek Renaissance to ban single-use plastic beverage bottles; balloons; smoking; and single-use plastic bags not exempted by California Public Resources Code; and
2. Provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.