TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager to draft a letter of support for SB 54 (Allen)/AB 1080 (Gonzalez), regarding statewide efforts to phase out the sale and distribution of single-use plastics in California by 2030.
DISCUSSION
As a city that prides itself on environmental sustainability, Long Beach has successfully placed a ban on single-use Styrofoam, a product that is made from polystyrene. Many straws are also made from polystyrene, a versatile plastic. Plastic straws are a single-use waste item that is detrimental to our Long Beach coastline. They are non-biodegradable and recycled at rates of less than 15 percent in California, and are often found on our city's beaches. Roughly two-thirds of all plastic is released into the environment, negatively impacting our community's food and drinking water sources, along with marine life.
On February 21, 2019, Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) and Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) introduced legislation to phase out single-use plastics in California by 2030. The legislation aims to reduce the pollution caused by single-use products and packaging in California, while requiring remaining products and packaging to be truly recyclable or compostable. Specifically, polystyrene single-use products must be reduced or recycled by 75 percent by 2030. The bill creates incentives and policies to move toward in-state manufacturing using recycled material generated in California. This bill supports our City's objective to promote sustainability and protect our environment.
This matter was reviewed by Budget Manager, Grace H. Yoon, on March 28, 2019.
FISCAL IMPACT
This recommendation requests the City Manager to draft a letter of support for SB 54/AB 1080. Drafting this letter is anticipated to require a minimal level of staff time beyond normal budgeted scope of duties and is expected to have minimal impact on existing City Council priorities.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfu...
Click here for full text