The San Diego Metropolis Council Tuesday will think about approving a ban on polystyrene foam meals containers, utensils, coolers and toys, following up on motion from 2019.
The council handed an ordinance banning polystyrene — generally often called Styrofoam — merchandise in that yr to cut back the town’s plastic utilization, however enforcement was rapidly tied up by a lawsuit.
Within the settlement settlement to that go well with, the town agreed to arrange an environmental impression report underneath the California Environmental High quality Act. The report shall be offered for certification together with a request to repeal the unique ordinance after which re-adopt the Single Use Plastic Discount Ordinance on Tuesday.
Based on a report by metropolis employees, polystyrene is “a risk to the setting in San Diego as litter in our canyons, streets, waterways, and seashores. Polystyrene foam blows within the wind and floats on water, the place it may be ingested by birds, fish, and different organisms. The polystyrene foam that doesn’t turn into litter, however is put in trash or recycling bins, then turns into a nuisance on the landfill or recycling middle, because it simply breaks up, blows round, and turns into litter at and across the landfill or turns into contamination in different recycling streams.”
Opponents to the ordinance embrace enterprise homeowners reminiscent of restaurateurs who consider the ban will impose extra prices on their companies. The proposed ordinance has language indicating there shall be delays and hardship exclusions for small companies and eating places.
“To help small companies in making a profitable transition, there can be a 12-month exemption for entities with lower than $500,000 in annual revenue,” the town report on the ordinance reads.
If enacted, the proposal would take impact on April 1, 2023.
—Metropolis Information Service
