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RulesCommunications Highlights 2011 0127
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RulesCommunications Highlights 2011 0127
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3/3/2011 11:08:36 AM
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2/17/2011 3:45:22 PM
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CM City Clerk-City Council
CM City Clerk-City Council - Document Type
Committee Highlights
Document Date (6)
1/27/2011
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_CC Agenda 2011 0222
(Reference)
Path:
\City Clerk\City Council\Agenda Packets\2011\Packet 2011 0222
MO 2011-043
(Reference)
Path:
\City Clerk\City Council\Minute Orders\2011
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would not be considered acceptable alternatives to polystyrene foam. Our waste and recycling <br /> hauler, Alameda County Industries, has specifically stated that compostable plastic packaging is <br /> not accepted in the curbside organics stream, and would only contaminate truckloads of clean <br /> food waste, food soiled paper and yard trimmings sent to the Newby Island Composting Facility. <br /> Staff has not previously considered a ban on polystyrene food service ware because it would <br /> increase costs for local food establishments and because there is limited waste diversion and <br /> litter reduction potential from such an ordinance. Although staff has not conducted their own <br /> survey of businesses and products, the City of Hayward, in establishing their ordinance, <br /> estimated that the cost increase to switch from polystyrene food service ware to environmentally <br /> preferable alternatives would be $150 -S250 per month for small to medium -sized food <br /> establishments. Given current economic conditions, staff is concerned with mandating such a <br /> cost - increase on food establishments in San Leandro at this time. <br /> The 2008 Alameda County Waste Characterization Study, prepared by Stopwaste.org, does not <br /> list polystyrene food service ware as a distinct material category; it is included in a category <br /> called "Other Plastics" which is primarily comprised of composite products that are mostly made <br /> of plastic. In 2008, 1.4% (1226 tons) of all San Leandro waste that was landfilled consisted of <br /> "Other Plastics" by weight. We do not know what fraction of the category consisted of <br /> polystyrene food service ware, but we have good reason to believe that the fraction was very <br /> small considering the light- weight nature of polystyrene. We do know that .5 % (424 tons) of all <br /> San Leandro waste that was landfilled in 2008 consisted of "Expanded Polystyrene Blocks" <br /> (such as those used as packing material). Therefore, we can only conclude from the data that <br /> polystyrene food service ware represents less than .5% of the total San Leandro waste stream. <br /> On November 19, 2010, staff finalized a High Diversion Plan, for the purpose of planning waste <br /> reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting efforts for the next 10 years with a goal of exceeding <br /> 75% waste diversion to landfill. The plan identifies both short and long -term strategies for <br /> diversion by material and by sector. According to the plan, the best opportunities for achieving <br /> new diversion would be to focus efforts on reducing organic materials sent to landfill. Organic <br /> waste makes up 41% of all waste generated in San Leandro that is sent to landfill. The plan <br /> indicates that the best strategies for achieving new diversion is to focus efforts on enhancing <br /> curbside collection services for businesses and residents, mandatory recycling policies, and <br /> greater construction and demolition debris recycling outreach and enforcement. Because plastic, <br /> in all of its forms, is such a small percentage of the overall waste stream, it is not specifically <br /> identified as a target material for new diversion in the plan. <br /> In addition to the cost and limited diversion potential, staff is uncertain that a polystyrene ban <br /> will effectively reduce litter in San Leandro. Although polystyrene food service ware litter may <br /> be reduced, it will likely be replaced with equally problematic alternatives. Plastics #1 and #2, <br /> although recyclable, are also harmful to the environment when left as litter. In addition, other <br /> products such as polystyrene trays (from prepackaged foods), polystyrene foam blocks, packing <br /> peanuts, and various polystyrene boating products would not be banned and would continue to <br /> be found as litter, Public Works employees conducted litter debris sons from recent shoreline <br /> cleanup events and have found that while Styrofoam, in all of the various forms, is a component <br /> of shoreline litter, it is no more prevalent than other kinds of plastic materials found. <br />
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