10 Draft Integrated Waste Management Plan - City Council - City of ...

2012 Davis Integrated Waste Management Plan
Data from other jurisdictions that have passed similar carryout bag laws show that this is a successful way to
encourage reusable bags. Washington DC imposed a 5 cent fee on both paper and plastic single-use bags in
2009. Since then they have reduced single use bags by 80%. According to CAW, each Californian uses an
estimated average of 375 plastic bags and 72 paper bags every year. In Davis, that equates to an annual total of
approximately 24.6 million plastic bags and 4.7 million paper bags.
The NRC approved staff’s draft carryout bag ordinance in March 2012. At the September 25, 2012 City Council
meeting, the Council directed staff to look into re-writing the ordinance to charge a fee for plastic and paper
single-use bags. They directed staff to come back to Council early January with an updated draft ordinance.
It is important to note that if the Council does pass a carryout bag ordinance, the ordinance would not likely go
into effect until 6 months to 1 year from ordinance adoption. The City could also allow 6 months from
implementation for full compliance, as stores adjust their practices and use up their current supply of plastic
carryout bags.
7.2.6 Expanded Polystyrene Reduction
Polystyrene (PS) resin granules impregnated with a blowing agent (typically pentane) creates “expandable (or
“expanded”) polystyrene” (EPS), often called Styrofoam TM (a trademarked form of EPS). Expanding beads
fuse together to form the finished product, which is white, and generally made up of 90 to 95% air. EPS is
estimated at 0.8% (by weight) of the materials landfilled. However, due to its lightweight nature, its volume is
much greater. Small EPS beads are used for cups and containers, medium beads for shape-molded packaging,
and large beads for the expanded loose-fill packaging (peanuts). It insulates, is lightweight, and resists
moisture. Loose-fill peanuts sold in California that contain recycled material are often colored green.
Polystyrene food packaging is lightweight and aerodynamic, so it is easily blown into gutters and storm drains.
Polystyrene is also very brittle, so when littered it quickly breaks into small pieces making cleanup very
difficult. Plastic litter is seen as a threat to natural ecosystems. Wildlife may mistake plastic litter for food, and
may ingest small or large pieces. The plastic does not break down in their digestive system, but often lingers,
leading to reduced appetite, reduced nutrient absorption, and ultimately death by starvation. According to a
California Department of Transportation study during 1998–2000, polystyrene represented 15%of the total
volume of litter recovered from the storm drains. In 1999, the U.S. Coastal Clean-Up program reported that 2%
of the litter picked up was foam cups.
DRAFT
The 2008 Waste Characterization Study commissioned by CIWMB does not specifically call out polystyrene as
a material type. Rather it is listed under two different material types:
#3-#7 Other Containers means plastic containers other than sealed containers and #3-#7 buckets of five
gallons or less in size, made of types of plastic other than HDPE (high-density polyethylene) or PETE
(polyethylene terephthalate) that include boxes, clamshells, jars, bottles, and cartons. Items may be
made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), LDPE (low-density polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PS
(polystyrene), or mixed resins. When marked for identification, these items may bear the number 3, 4, 5,
6, or 7 in the triangular recycling symbol and may also bear the letters PS, PP, PVC, etc. Examples
include bakery packaging with hinged lids, hardware and fastener packaging, food containers such as
bottles for salad dressings and vegetable oils, flexible and brittle yogurt cups, syrup bottles, margarine
tubs, microwave food trays, and clamshell-shaped fast food containers. This type also includes some
shampoo containers, vitamin bottles, foam egg cartons, and clamshell-like muffin containers.
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