Direct staff to research waste reduction and compostable restaurant materials requirements
In Plain English
Cities like Oakland, Berkeley, and San Francisco require restaurants to use compostable containers and utensils instead of plastic or styrofoam. Staff will research how to implement similar rules locally. If approved, restaurants would eventually need to switch to biodegradable packaging, which typically costs more but reduces landfill waste.
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Votes
Motion · Official minutes
Staff provide a report in 60 days with recommendations for ways to reduce waste and increase the use of compostables including removal of styrofoam from restaurants and any other sources possible. There should also be input solicited from the business community and the Goldman School.
7 aye · 0 nay
Why This Vote Matters
The council unanimously directed staff to research waste reduction rules that would require restaurants to use compostable containers and utensils instead of plastic or styrofoam. Staff has 60 days to report back with specific recommendations and will gather input from local businesses and the Goldman School during their research. If eventually implemented, these rules would be similar to policies already in place in Oakland, Berkeley, and San Francisco, though restaurants would face higher costs for the biodegradable packaging. The measure aims to reduce the amount of non-biodegradable waste going to landfills from local food establishments.
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