HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_2018-04-24_MinutesProposal to Implement Regulations
on Polystyrene Foam (EPS)
Wilderness Club & Progressive Club
Paso Robles High School
City Council Minutes Exhibit B
Date: April 24, 2018
Expanded Polystyrene Foam -EPS -commonly known as “Styrofoam”
Expanded Polystyrene:
Inherent Drawbacks of an
Environmental Blight
●Part annoying packing material, part deadly
insult to natural ecosystems.
●Contains known neurotoxin styrene which
has been found to contaminate food, drink,
and groundwater
●Hazardous to humans and animals alike
●Uniquely problematic as litter:
○Lightweight, durable, persistent
○Extremely resistant to biodegradation
○Smallest components are difficult to
remove from the environment
○Conspicuous and unsightly
●Petroleum-based, not sustainably produced
Why care?
●Atascadero feeds into a vibrant seasonal
waterway, the Salinas River
●Dry seasons allow for trash to accumulate in
creeks and streams
●Wet seasons fill the river and transport lighter
articles of trash, in particular EPS, up the river
and into the ocean
●Numerous studies have shown EPS foam to
be hugely detrimental to ocean ecosystems
●Adverse effects on the food we grow and
import, and the water we consume
It’s time to take action.
The public agrees that Atascadero should join the over 100
Californian cities and four SLO county cities
to implement EPS regulations.
Proven to Work
Successful Bans Elsewhere
The City of San Luis Obispo’s
Foam Free Policy
●Requires that all products must be either
recyclable, compostable, or biodegradable
●Plastic products must have the “chasing
arrow” sign 1-7, excluding 6
●Prohibits retail sale of any styrofoam products
in city limits: foam coolers, plates, cups, bowls,
and packing peanuts
Exemptions:
●Foam trays for uncooked meats
●Food prepared or packaged outside of the City
●Packing materials which have been collected
for reuse
●Products that contain EPS, but are encased in
a more durable material
Santa Cruz: 50% decrease in occurance of
styrofoam on beach & river cleanups
(2007-2012)
San Francisco: litter audit shows 36%
reduction in EPS litter (2014)
The Alternatives ●Styrofoam plates to natural fiber
or plastic plates
●Styrofoam cups to cardboard or
plastic cups
●Packing peanuts to inflatable air
bags or cardboard
●Styrofoam take out containers to
fiber or plastic containers
Developed by the City of San Jose, 2012
Economics of a Ban
Modeled after the City of SLO
●Businesses had an approximately six-month
enactment period to become foam free
●“food providers have the ability to apply for a
one time, one year exemption from the
ordinance if alternative products are
unaffordable or unavailable”
●Hardship Exemption
○May be granted if alternative products are not
readily available or are not affordable (greater
than 15% increase in cost)
●Costco, San Luis Obispo, has experienced no
change in sales, sent pre-purchased
styrofoam to a recycling facility, and the
transition had no effect on business
●PRJUSD Foam-free –Gregg Wangard, Food
Services Director
We need your help!
Interventionary and regulatory government is
sometimes necessary to protect the best
interest of the people.
●Water Restrictions
●Recreational and Commercial Marijuana
use
●Noise Ordinances
●Public smoking ban
The sale and distribution of EPS foam needs to
be added to this list, to protect the welfare of
our community and environment for
generations.
Please place this issue on the council
agenda as an action item.
City Council Minutes Exhibit C
Date: April 24, 2018
Prepared Subgrade
Place and compact 2 feet thick low permeability clay layer
Geosynthetic Clay Liner (GCL) on slopes
High Density Polyethylene Liner (HDPE)
Fabrinet Geocomposite Drainage Layer
Leachate Collection Removal System
Operations Fill Soil Layer Placement –2 Ft.
Landfill Gas Flare