Title
Public Hearing to Consider Introduction of Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code (AMC) by Amending Section 4-4 (Disposal Food Service Wear) to Prohibit Certain Single-Use Plastics, such as Straws and Clarifying Compostable Food Service Requirements. (Public Works 274.1)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jill Keimach, City Manager
Re: Public Hearing to Consider Introduction of Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code (AMC) by Amending Section 4-4 (Disposal Food Service Wear) to Prohibit Certain Single-Use Plastics, such as Straws and Clarifying Compostable Food Service Requirements
BACKGROUND
Alameda Municipal Code (AMC), Section 4-4, Polystyrene Foam Food Service Ware, as adopted in 2008 (Exhibit 1), bans food vendors from using expanded polystyrene, known by its trademark Styrofoam. This section also requires food vendors to use disposable food service ware that is recyclable (i.e., aluminum trays or foil) or compostable (i.e., a fiber-based food tray), if such food ware is affordable. In addition, this section encourages food vendors to provide reusable food service ware, such as metal utensils or reusable plates, in lieu of disposable food service ware.
On June 20, 2017, the City Council directed staff to consider as a high priority a "straws on request" ordinance and review the City's current ordinance banning polystyrene food ware to consider clarifying that to-go food ware be compostable or recyclable. On July 18, 2017, City Council further directed staff to return on September 19 to hold a public hearing to formally introduce the revised ordinance, and, in the interim, for staff to notify the public and businesses of the public hearing.
On July 24, 2017, Public Works solicited input from the Chamber of Commerce (Chamber), Downtown Alameda Business Association (DABA), Greater Alameda Business Association (GABA), and West Alameda Business Association (WABA). Copies of the proposed ordinance revisions...
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