April 28, 2009 City of Richmond Take-Out Packaging Research & Food WareOrdinance Recommendation Food Ware Ordinance Recommendation

What is Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)? EPS (Styrofoam™) is a light-weight foam plastic EPS (Styrofoam™) is a light-weight foam plastic Advantages Insulating properties Light-weight Inexpensive Durable

Why EPS Has Been a Concern Litter & marine pollution Litter & marine pollution Solid waste & recycling Solid waste & recycling Potential health effects Potential health effects Produced from non-renewable resources Produced from non-renewable resources

Litter & Marine Pollution EPS tends to blow away from landfills EPS tends to blow away from landfills EPS comprises 15% of litter found in California storm drains EPS comprises 15% of litter found in California storm drains EPS breaks up into tiny pieces but does not biodegrade EPS breaks up into tiny pieces but does not biodegrade EPS and other plastic & marine debris pose a threat to marine life EPS and other plastic & marine debris pose a threat to marine life Potential incentive to control use of non- biodegradable packaging Potential incentive to control use of non- biodegradable packaging

Solid Waste & Recycling Successful EPS Successful EPS take-out container take-out container recycling is hindered recycling is hindered by: by: –Low market value –Food residue contamination A ban on the use of EPS take-out containers offers source reduction potential

Potential Health Effects Occupational and animal studies show that chronic styrene exposure in high concentrations may result in neurotoxicity and other central nervous system effects. Occupational and animal studies show that chronic styrene exposure in high concentrations may result in neurotoxicity and other central nervous system effects. Styrene can migrate from containers into food or drink. However, this exposure has not been linked to the above effects. Styrene can migrate from containers into food or drink. However, this exposure has not been linked to the above effects.

Existing Food Ware Ordinances Berkeley Berkeley Emeryville Emeryville Millbrae Millbrae Oakland Oakland San Francisco San Francisco Santa Cruz Santa Cruz Santa Monica Santa Monica Several California cities have implemented Food Ware Ordinances:

Summary of Food Ware Ordinances Prohibits the use of EPS by prepared food vendors and by City facilities Prohibits the use of EPS by prepared food vendors and by City facilities Food ware biodegradability, compostability or recyclability requirement Food ware biodegradability, compostability or recyclability requirement Many include an affordability clause Many include an affordability clause Complaint-driven enforcement Complaint-driven enforcement

Essential Components for Success Food waste programs necessary to achieve landfill diversion Food waste programs necessary to achieve landfill diversion Adequate staffing for outreach, enforcement & assistance through website, brochures, information tables Adequate staffing for outreach, enforcement & assistance through website, brochures, information tables Adequate time for businesses (~100) to comply Adequate time for businesses (~100) to comply Requirement that food ware be biodegradable avoids replacing EPS with other plastics Requirement that food ware be biodegradable avoids replacing EPS with other plastics

What are the Alternatives to EPS? PlasticPaperPlant-based biodegradable plastics

Plastics Light weight, durable Light weight, durable Widely available Widely available Inexpensive InexpensiveDrawbacks: Generated from a non-renewable source Generated from a non-renewable source May release chemicals into food or drink May release chemicals into food or drink Does not biodegrade Does not biodegrade Only clean, narrow-neck plastic containers #1 and #2 are recycled in Richmond Only clean, narrow-neck plastic containers #1 and #2 are recycled in Richmond Industry is chemical intensive and results in GHG emissions Industry is chemical intensive and results in GHG emissions Benefits:

Paper Benefits: Will generally biodegrade Will generally biodegrade Made from renewable resource Made from renewable resourceDrawbacks: Can recycle only if clean Can recycle only if clean Not currently composted in Richmond Not currently composted in Richmond Often lined with plastic Often lined with plastic Heavier weight Heavier weight Industry is resource intensive and results in GHG emissions Industry is resource intensive and results in GHG emissions

Plant-based Plastics (Bio-plastics) Benefits: Made from renewable resources (corn, potato, sugarcane, etc) Made from renewable resources (corn, potato, sugarcane, etc) Can compost into soil amendment Can compost into soil amendment Non-toxic Non-toxicDrawbacks: More expensive More expensive Not widely available Not widely available Currently no collection system for compostable products in Richmond Currently no collection system for compostable products in Richmond Often requires specialized composting facilities Often requires specialized composting facilities Made from food crops results in controversy Made from food crops results in controversy Production results in GHG emissions Production results in GHG emissions

Average Price of Take-Out Food Ware by Material Type EPSPlasticPaper Biodegradable Box0.11 ( )0.38 ( )0.30( )0.41( ) Plate0.03 ( ) 0.06 ( )0.13 ( ) Cup0.04 ( )0.05 ( )0.07 ( )0.10 ( ) Cutlery 0.04 ( ) 0.06 ( ) Bowl0.04 ( ) 0.06 ( )

Price Difference – EPS vs. Alternatives PlasticPaperBiodegradable Box100% 200% Plate -50%233% Cup50% 250% Cutlery Bowl 33% *Based on lowest price in each category

Price Difference – Price of Plastic vs. Alternatives PaperBiodegradable Box0%50% Plate Cup0%133% Cutlery 150% Bowl *Based on lowest price in each category

Conclusions EPS is a significant litter source, especially in the marine environment EPS is a significant litter source, especially in the marine environment Compostable products, when composted, have the greatest advantages Compostable products, when composted, have the greatest advantages A comprehensive approach is needed to address all plastics and food-contaminated paper A comprehensive approach is needed to address all plastics and food-contaminated paper A food waste composting program is essential A food waste composting program is essential Environmental impacts of the plastics and paper industries are comparable Environmental impacts of the plastics and paper industries are comparable Increased cost to businesses may be substantial Increased cost to businesses may be substantial

Stakeholder Input Richmond should pursue EPS recycling infrastructure Richmond should pursue EPS recycling infrastructure –City of Roseville –City of LA Health effects are inconclusive Health effects are inconclusive Significant cost impacts on businesses and community Significant cost impacts on businesses and community

Recommendation A Food Ware Ordinance should: A Food Ware Ordinance should: -- Ban EPS food ware -- Require that food ware be biodegradable or compostable (except for aluminum) --Include an affordability clause --Enforce through complaints For: -- City of Richmond facilities -- City of Richmond facilities -- Vendors of prepared food -- Vendors of prepared food -- Distributors at special events -- Distributors at special events

Alternative Food Ware Products

Questions?