Styrofoam Restrictions Ordinance Moves Closer to Reality as Pasadena Committee Supports Ban

Pasadena’s Muncipal Services Committee approved a recommendation to create an ordinance which restricts the use of polystrene foam —  commonly known as as “styrofoam” — at restaurants and other venues city-wide.

The proposed “Polystyrene Food Packaging Ordinance” ordinance is now set to go before the full City Council for consideration at its May 9 meeting.

Tuesday’s Committee meeting packed the Council Chambers. Members of an array of organizations such as Wasteless Living, Heal The Bay, The Sierra Club along with representatives of businesses including Dart Containers and several small restaurants were in attendance. Over 30 comment cards were submitted by those who wished to address the Committee.

The Municipal Services Committee is chaired by Councilmember Margaret McAustin. The two other Committee members are Mayor Terry Tornek and Councilmember Andy Wilson.

City of Pasadena Environmental Programs Manager, Gabriel Silva, spearheaded the ordinance’s discussion meeting with a lengthy and in-depth presentation profiling the findings conducted in a recent Department of City Works survey pertaining to the prevalence of polystyrene in local business practices and the costs of sustainable alternative methods of food packaging.

The survey, which contacted 100 restaurants employing fewer than 20 workers along with 25 food packaging retailers, showed that 69 percent of respondents used polystyrene packaging for food.

Silva said polystrene products account for 17 percent of the city’s litter stream.

The proposed ordinance would apply to grocery stores, restaurants, farmers’ markets, convenience stores, food vendors, food trucks, groups or individuals that provide prepared foods to the general public, city facilities, events and meetings, and all retailers selling food packaging. It would does not apply to uncooked meat, poultry, fish, eggs and fresh produce.

Silva said the City estimates the unit cost increase to convert from polystrene packaging to a comparable alternative is expected to be about four cents.

“Pasadena is willing to pay more for an alternative to have a more environmentally friendly city,” said Silva as he presented figures.

A large portion of the attendees said they are in favor of the ordinance, most agreeing that polystyrene is hazardous to the environment. However, some countered that the ordinance is premature and has not given businesses adequate time to devise strategies to offset the higher costs.

Restaurant owner Yesenia Ramirez was a present voice for the opposition.

“My point is that we are not ready because they have not given the small businesses the opportunity to do enough. You see signs everywhere in saying that all of the earth in California is being treated with pesticides and how you can get cancer. It’s not just only the containers,” said Ramirez.

Mayor Terry Tornek expressed his empathy for small restaurant owners and their reluctance to support the ordinance.

“We listened to their point of views and it was pretty clear that they are scared about what can happen to their businesses. They view this as a very serious threat,” expressed Tornek.

Community outreach and education became a recurring topic as a means to bridge the gap to stay committed to Pasadena’s Zero Waste initiative and to maintain productive relationships with small business owners.

In addition, the notion of establishing educational campaigns about the practice of reusable containers known as Bring Your Own Container (BYOC). Starbucks’ reusable cups were often cited as an example throughout the meeting.

“I’m optimistic as a community that we will figure out how to work with small businesses and stay with our commitment to moving towards zero waste,” said Councilmember Wilson.

According to the ordinance document, there are over 90 cities in California that have adopted a polystyrene ban of some sort.

“It’s not worth the cost to see a styrofoam lined ocean,” said ordinance supporter Christy Zamani.

The ordinance is expected to be considered by the full City Council on Monday, May 9.