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ORDINANCE NO. 717 <br /> SUSTAINABLE FOOD SERVICE WARE ORDINANCE <br /> AN ORDINANCE TO ADD CHAPTER 6.40 TO THE MILLBRAE MUNICIPAL CODE <br /> PROHIBITING THE USE OF POLYSTYRENE FOAM AND SOLID DISPOSABLE FOOD <br /> SERVICE WARE AND REQUIRING THE USE OF BIODEGRADABLE, <br /> COMPOSTABLE, REUSABLE OR RECYCLABLE FOOD SERVICE WARE BY FOOD <br /> VENDORS IN THE CITY <br /> WHEREAS, the City has a duty to protect the natural environment, the economy, and the <br /> health of its citizens; and <br /> WHEREAS, effective ways to reduce the negative environmental impacts of disposable <br /> food service ware include reusing or recycling food service ware and using biodegradable or <br /> compostable take -out materials made from renewable resources such as paper, corn starch, potato <br /> starch, and sugarcane; and <br /> WHEREAS, polystyrene is a common environmental pollutant as well as a non - <br /> biodegradable, non - compostable, non - recyclable or non - reusable substance used as food service <br /> ware by food vendors operating in the City; and <br /> WHEREAS, there continues to be no substantial recycling of polystyrene food service <br /> ware; and <br /> WHEREAS, affordable compostable food service ware products are increasingly becoming <br /> available for most food.service applications such as cups, plates, and hinged containers and these <br /> products are more ecologically sound than polystyrene materials and can be turned into a compost <br /> product; and <br /> WHEREAS, residents can get discounted composting bins from the County of San Mateo <br /> RecycleWorks Program, which can be used to compost food scraps and biodegradable, <br /> compostable, or food soiled paper take out food service ware; and <br /> WHEREAS, natural compost products are used as a very effective soil amendment for <br /> farms and gardens that conserves water, prevents erosion and adds to soil "tilth" to reduce the need <br /> for applications of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides, thereby moving towards a healthier zero <br /> waste system; and <br /> WHEREAS, disposable food service ware constitutes a portion of the litter in Millbrae's <br /> streets, parks and public places which increases City costs; and <br /> WHEREAS, polystyrene foam is a common pollutant that fragments into smaller, non- <br /> biodegradable pieces that are ingested by marine life and other wildlife thus harming or killing <br /> them; and <br /> Page 1 of 7 <br /> 1355798.4 <br />