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CITY OF SAN LEANDRO <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> Date: January 25, 2011 <br /> To: Stephen Hollister, City Manager <br /> From: Michael Bakaldin, Public Works Director <br /> By: Jennifer Nassab, Administrative Analyst <br /> Subject: Polystyrene Foam Food Service Ware Ordinance <br /> SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION <br /> On October 26, 2010, the Rules Committee of the San Leandro City Council asked staff to <br /> prepare a Polystyrene Foam Food Service Ware Ban Ordinance modeled after the City of <br /> Hayward. The ban would prohibit food establishments from providing food and beverages in <br /> certain types of polystyrene foam food packaging. Staff is requesting that the Rules Committee <br /> review various options for implementing such an ordinance that considers staffing and fiscal <br /> constraints, and provide staff with direction based on these options. <br /> BACKGROUND <br /> Local governments have adopted polystyrene food service ware bans or similar food service <br /> ware policies in an effort to reduce litter and waste to landfill. The policies are directed at food <br /> establishments that serve food or package leftovers in polystyrene foam packaging (also known <br /> as Styrofoam). Such packaging is considered difficult to manage, non - recyclable, wasteful, and <br /> damaging to the environment. Polystyrene foam can cause unique litter management issues due <br /> to its lightweight nature; it floats in water and is easily wind blown. Polystyrene foam litter can <br /> be found on streets, in storm drains, along the shoreline and in local waterways. It breaks into <br /> smaller units over time and biodegrades very slowly. <br /> Staff reviewed food service ware ordinances from several jurisdictions including Oakland, <br /> Livermore, Fremont, Hayward, and Millbrae. Most ordinances require food establishments to use <br /> recyclable or compostable food service ware, but aren't specific to the types of packaging that <br /> are acceptable. Although all jurisdictions in Alameda County advertise that they accept Plastics <br /> 41-7 in curbside recycling programs, in reality, only Plastics 41 and #2 are effectively marketed <br /> for sale. Plastics #3 -7 can end up as facility residue and sent to landfill, or are bundled together, <br /> because of their low market value, and shipped to China and other developing countries where <br /> their final disposition is unknown. In San Leandro, acceptable options for recyclable and <br /> compostable food service ware would be limited to #1 and #2 rigid plastic containers, paper <br /> containers, and aluminum trays. All other types of containers, including compostable plastics <br />