Title
Staff Report for Discussion of Potential "Straws Upon Request" Ordinance in San Leandro
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Per City Council direction at the March 19, 2018 Council meeting, staff provides the following information for the Rules Committee's consideration regarding a potential "straws upon request" ordinance in San Leandro. Staff recommends that the Rules Committee consider tabling the development of an ordinance pending the outcome of California Assembly Bill 1884, the statewide "straws upon request" legislation that is currently being actively reviewed by the State Legislature.
BACKGROUND
According to the California Coastal Commission, 80% of the litter that ends up on California beaches is generated on land. Much of this land-generated waste is plastic litter. The National Park Service states Americans discard 500 million single-use plastic straws per day. Plastic debris interferes with wildlife habitats and endangers marine life through entanglement and ingestion.
City Solid Waste and Recycling staff surveyed member agencies that make up the Alameda County Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to determine if any local agencies currently have, or are considering, any ordinance restricting the distribution of plastic straws. On January 1, 2018, the City of Alameda implemented an ordinance banning single-use plastic straws. The City of Oakland has revised their municipal code to state that, as of July 1, 2018, single-use plastic straws may only be distributed at dine-in restaurants upon customer request (revision does not apply to fast-food restaurants).
The City of Hayward and Castro Valley Sanitary District will be studying the feasibility of implementing a plastic straw ordinance. The Berkeley City Council is considering an ordinance that would require all dine-in foodservice ware, including straws, be reusable.
To staff's knowledge, the cities of Albany, Dublin, Livermore, Fremont and Pleasanton are not considering a plastic s...
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