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