Santa Monica, my relatively new city of residence, is working on an ordinance to ban the use of non-recyclable packaging for takeout food and beverages.
The new ordinace — expected to pass by the end of summer, would make Santa Monica California’s first community to ban the use of clear plastic containers made of petroleum-based polystyrene. Plus, Santa Monica would join a few other cities that’ve already banned styrofoam — most recently, Oakland.
Unfortunately, California Restaurant Association‘s fighting the ban — It sez the main prob’s littering — which this ordinance wouldn’t address.
I’m of the opinion that if losers are gonna litter, they may’s well litter only stuff that eco-fanatics can pick up and put in the recycling bin.
In any case, restaurants and other businesses will be given a year from when the ordinance finally gets officially adopted to make the switch. And if businesses find it tough, they can still ask for a financial hardship waiver.
You can send an email to the Cali Restaurant Association via this web form — If you got the time, you may’s well tell them you heart eating out, but don’t heart nonrecyclable crap encasing your food –
Update, 1/13/07: It’s now official — Santa Monica City Council unanimously voted to ban non-recycleable food packaging on Jan. 9, 2007. Businesses have a year to become compliant.
Update, 2/4/07: No, do not put styrofoam in your recycling bin. It’s still not recycleable here.
What you need is to get your chips (they are chips, french fries is a silly name and crisps are what you get in a bag in the supermarket. and don’t get me started on fall(autumn), color (colour), railroad (railway) and gasoline(petrol)) in the traditional paper. Yum yum
Comment by simon — July 27, 2006 @ 11:43 am
What is the “traditional paper”?
Comment by Siel — July 29, 2006 @ 8:34 pm