[Support of the Single-Use Food Ware Plastics, Toxics, and Litter Reduction Ordinance File Number: 180519]
Resolution urging the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor to adopt File Number 180519, an Ordinance amending the Environment Code to reduce plastic pollution, promote reusable foodware and eliminate certain toxic chemicals from foodware products.
WHEREAS, The City and County of San Francisco has a duty to protect the natural environment, the economy, and the health of its citizens; and,
WHEREAS, The City and County of San Francisco has a goal of achieving zero waste, which includes the elimination of toxic chemicals from the environment; and,
WHEREAS, Policies that promote reusable foodware encourage the reuse of materials and a reduction of pollutants thereby conserving resources and protecting the environment; and,
WHEREAS, Plastics in the marine environment are particularly problematic as they degrade into pieces and particles of all sizes attracting organic pollutants which collect on the surface of plastic particles, entangle or are ingested by ocean species which can lead to disease and even death and have been detected in seafood sold for human consumption; and,
WHEREAS, Researchers have detected plastics in bottled water, sea salt, honey and indoor and outdoor air; and,
WHEREAS, 80 percent of marine debris originates on land, primarily as litter in urban runoff; and,
WHEREAS, 12 million tons of plastic enter the ocean each year and it is estimated that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish; and,
WHEREAS, A 2011 Bay Area study of street litter that contributes to urban runoff to the San Francisco Bay found that 57 percent of all litter items were single-use food or beverage packaging with 50 percent of those items coming from fast food service; and,
WHEREAS, Studies of the litter collected during California Coastal Cleanup Days from 1989 to 2014, found that seven of the top ten items were single-use food ware items and plastic straws; and,
WHEREAS, As of 2012, an estimated 120 billion single-use cups are used per year in the United States, which would amount to 370 per person per year; and,
WHEREAS, An estimated 500 million straws are used each day in the United States, equal to 1.5 per person per day which would amount to more than 1 million straws used per day in San Francisco; and,
WHEREAS, Single-use foodware may threaten public health as many types contain a number of additives that are known or suspected carcinogens or endocrine disruptors, such as phthalates, perchlorate, and fluorinated chemicals that are known to leach from foodware into the food and beverages they contain; and,
WHEREAS, Fluorinated chemicals, also known as per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (“PFAS”), are synthetic chemicals commonly used in and on single-use foodware products to repel water and grease; and,
WHEREAS, Fluorinated chemicals are extremely persistent in the environment, leach into food, and can be taken up from soil into food; and,
WHEREAS, A 2018 Center for Environmental Health study found that 57 percent of tested foodware contained significant levels of fluorinated chemicals and in 2016, the United States Food and Drug Administration rescinded its approval for the use of three such fluorinated chemicals from food contact materials due to associated heightened risks of cancer, toxicity, and other health effects; and,
WHEREAS, Other PFAS chemicals have similar chemical structures, and may pose similar risks; and,
WHEREAS, San Francisco is a recognized leader in developing model zero waste policies and programs having been the first city to ban single-use plastic checkout bags in 2007, triggering a widespread movement to ban such plastic bags and to charge for other checkout bags across California and beyond; and,
WHEREAS, In continuing to strive for zero waste, San Francisco has the opportunity to once again demonstrate its leadership by developing policies that reduce the use of toxics in single-use foodware; and,
WHEREAS, Supervisor Katy Tang introduced the Single-Use Food Ware Plastics, Toxics, and Litter Reduction Ordinance which would ensure that no person may sell, offer for sale, or otherwise distribute in the city any straws, stirrers, splash sticks, cocktail sticks, or toothpicks made with plastic, distribute any foodware accessories not upon customer request or self-serve, or host an outdoor or indoor event with 100 attendees or more on city property without offering a reusable cup option for at least ten percent of attendees; and,
WHEREAS, The Single-Use Food Ware Plastics, Toxics, and Litter Reduction Ordinance also ensures that no person may sell or distribute any foodware that is not verified through third party certification to be free of fluorinated chemicals; and,
WHEREAS, Efforts to work with the business and disability community have resulted in the introduction of exemptions for people with disabilities or medical needs and allows people one year to prepare for the ban; now, therefore, be it,
RESOLVED, That the Commission on the Environment strongly urges the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor to recognize the severity of the impacts of single-use foodware; and, be it,
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Commission on the Environment recognizes that the Single-Use Food Ware Plastics, Toxics, and Litter Reduction Ordinance will help the City and County of San Francisco protect against marine pollution and make progress toward its goal of zero waste in San Francisco; and, be it,
FUTHER RESOLVED, That the Commission on the Environment urges the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor to adopt File Number 180519, an ordinance ensuring single use food ware reduction; and, be it,
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Commission on the Environment urges the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor to support policies to further encourage reusables and reduce foodware waste, including requiring food establishments to use reusable foodware and charge customers for providing single-use foodware items.
I hereby certify that this Resolution was adopted at the Commission on the Environment’s Meeting on July 24, 2018.
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Anthony Valdez, Commission Secretary
Vote: 4-0 Approved
Ayes: Commissioners Ahn, Bermejo, Sullivan and Wald.
Noes: None
Absent: Commissioners Hoyos, Stephenson and Wan.