Title
Recommendation to Enter into StopWaste’s Expansion of the Countywide Reusable Bag Ordinance. (Public Works 274.1)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jill Keimach, City Manager
Re: Recommendation to Enter into StopWaste’s Expansion of the Countywide Reusable Bag Ordinance
BACKGROUND
Approximately 150 cities and counties in California have adopted reusable bag ordinances, sometimes referred to as plastic bag bans. These ordinances typically prohibit single-use bags at grocery and other stores and require the retailer to charge a small fee for the sale of a paper or reusable plastic bags. These ordinances have proven to reduce plastic bag litter, especially in the state’s many waterways.
The City of Alameda has had a reusable bag ordinance in operation since January 1, 2013, after the Alameda County Waste Management Authority’s (StopWaste) reusable bag ordinance went into effect.
StopWaste’s ordinance prohibited the distribution of single-use bags at most retailers selling packaged food, such as grocery, drug, and liquor stores, and placed a $0.10 per bag minimum charge on recycled-content paper or reusable bags. As a result of the ordinance, the purchases of bags countywide decreased by 85% as shoppers either reused a bag or did not use one at all.
On October 26, 2016, StopWaste approved an expanded reusable bag ordinance for Alameda County. The expanded ordinance will apply to all stores and restaurants in the county, including the City of Alameda. Retail stores will have the same requirements as previously covered stores. Restaurants would not be required to charge customers if distributing recycled content paper bags, but must charge a minimum of $0.10 for a compliant reusable bag. As with the original ordinance, cities who wish to opt out of the expansion must affirmatively do so by December 9, 2016.
In the year leading up to the ordinance’s expansion, StopWaste contacted business associations, chambers of commerce and shopping centers across the county, including Alameda, to make presentations and provide information about the expanded ordinance. Additionally, StopWaste gathered input from both businesses and residents by hosting three regional meetings and conducting surveys. In 2017, StopWaste plans to continue outreach efforts in a variety of ways including mailings to all affected stores and restaurants to educate them on ordinance requirements, providing outreach materials for affected stores to post on site as well as intermittent store visits. This approach is modeled after the outreach conducted for the initial ordinance in 2013.
The expanded ordinance will go into effect for retail stores on May 1, 2017, and for restaurants on November 1, 2017.
DISCUSSION
Staff recommends the City Council enter into StopWaste’s expansion of the reusable bag ordinance. Doing so continues Alameda’s support of the 2013 reusable bag ordinance, is consistent with the vote of Alameda’s appointee to StopWaste’s Board of Directors (Council Member Jim Oddie), and reflects the City Council’s positive reception of StopWaste’s June 2016 report regarding the proposed ordinance expansion. Moreover, the 2013 reusable bag ordinance resulted in a 44% decrease in plastic bags in Alameda County’s storm drains. Given storm drains ultimately drain into the San Francisco Bay, Alameda as an island city is uniquely situated to benefit from an expanded reusable bag ordinance.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact to the General Fund or other city funds.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action does not affect the Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this project is Categorically Exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15357, Discretionary Project.
RECOMMENDATION
Enter into StopWaste’s expansion of the Countywide reusable bag ordinance.
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Haun, Public Works Director
By,
Liz Acord, Management Analyst
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. StopWaste’s Summary of Reusable Bag Ordinance Expansion