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CC - (1) Consider For Discussion at the December 12, 2016 City Council Meeting or Later Date Set by the City Council, Additional Measures Requested by Mayor Jim Clarke in Response to a Proposal by Ballona Creek Renaissance to Ban Single-Use Polystyrene Take-Out Food Containers; and Cutlery and (2) Direct the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: November 28, 2016
Contact Person/Dept: Joe Susca/Public Works Department-Administration
Phone Number: (310) 253-5636
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (11/22/16)
Department Approval: Charles D. Herbertson (11/17/16)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) consider for discussion at its December 12, 2016 City Council meeting or later date set by the City Council, additional measures requested by Mayor Jim Clarke regarding Ballona Creek Renaissance’s proposal to ban single-use polystyrene take-out food containers and cutlery; and (2) provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
On April 6, 2016, the Ballona Creek Renaissance (BCR) presented a proposal to ban single-use polystyrene take-out and dine-in food containers and cutlery to the City Council Sustainability Subcommittee. After the presentation, the Sustainability Subcommittee directed staff to place consideration of the proposal on a future City Council agenda. After considering BCR’s proposal, on August 8, 2016, the City Council directed staff to invite all of the City’s food service providers to attend a future Sustainability Subcommittee meeting to collect their input on the proposed ban and to return to the City Council to further consider the ban.
On September 14, 2016, BCR presented an updated proposal to the Sustainability Subcommittee that included the addition of polystyrene hard plastic cups, cup lids, straws, and food containers. BCR’s updated proposal also includes a citywide prohibition on the sale of single-use polystyrene foam and hard plastic food serviceware products and foam coolers that are not encased in hard plastic. A total of 42 written comments and 24 speakers provided testimony during the Sustainability Subcommittee meeting. Of the 42 written comments received, 40 of them were from food service providers opposing the ban; citing the increased cost to purchase alternatives as the primary reason for their opposition and encouraging the City to investigate a polystyrene recycling program.
In addition to receiving a presentation from BCR, Titus, a material sorting equipment manufacturer and secondary material recovery facility was invited to present information about their polystyrene recycling operation. Titus receives polystyrene and all other materials (including foam with food residue) that is left over from their primary material recovery facility clients that would otherwise be sent to a landfill. Once received, Titus’ conveyor and sorting equipment is able to recycle 50% or more of the leftover material and the remainder is sent to a landfill.
Upon conclusion of the meeting, the Sustainability Subcommittee directed staff to perform a communitywide survey regarding the ban and to contact CR&R (the City’s material recovery facility) to determine if they would be willing to enter into a six month pilot agreement with Titus to recycle the City’s polystyrene and other leftover materials. CR&R agreed to do so, and the six month pilot program commenced in early November, 2016.
On November 7, 2016, Mayor Jim Clarke submitted a memorandum outlining a number of additional measures for the City Council to consider investigating prior to further consideration of the ban (see attached).
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
There is no fiscal impact to direct staff to investigate the additional measures other than staff time to research the various proposals and prepare a report.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Memorandum from Mayor Jim Clarke.
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
1. Consider for discussion at its December 12, 2016 meeting (or later meeting as directed by the City Council) additional measures requested by Mayor Jim Clarke in response to a proposal received from Ballona Creek Renaissance to ban single-use polystyrene take-out food containers and cutlery; and
2. Provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.