Submitted By
Mindy Agnew, Sustainability Coordinator
Reviewed By
CLP
Agenda Item Title
Title
Motion to receive the Findings of the Environment and Energy Commission (EEC) Related to the Use of Plastic Straws
End
Overview
Overview
On May 7, 2018 Trustee Andrews requested consideration of a review by the EEC of options available to the Village that would reduce the use of plastic straws. The EEC conducted a 5-month review and approved submitting the attached report of their findings and recommendations to the Village Board for consideration. Commissioner Steven Morales will be in attendance to present an overview of the findings.
Body
Staff Recommendation
Approve the motion to receive the findings of the EEC.
Fiscal Impact
N/A.
Background
There is an increasing amount of discussion within environmental groups across the country about the negative impact of plastic drinking straws due to the associated pollution from this non-degradable plastic which pollutes beaches, waterways and oceans.
For example, the Shedd Aquarium partnered with other national organizations on the primary goal of reducing ocean and freshwater plastic pollution. These institutions are using a mix of consumer, business, and policy strategies to eliminate single-use plastic straws and bags in aquariums.
The EEC conducted a 5-month review of the burden of plastic straw use on our environment and researched organizations actively involved with the issue. The EEC compiled input from interviews with experts, residents, Village staff, community groups, examples from other municipalities, and presented a list of options and implementation benchmarks for the Village of Oak Park. The detailed report, survey findings, recommendations and various applicable considerations are attached.
The team developed a select set of possibilities for Oak Park that includes regulation of single-use straws and regulation of a variety of single-use plastics. An example draft of legislation and implementation suggestions was also created.
The EEC collaborative recommendation resulted in three targeted recommendations for Village residents and restaurant owners:
1. Educate restaurant staff and Village residents on the use of plastic straws and other single-use plastics including plastic lids, containers and utensils. Together they contribute to high volumes of pollution, and most restaurant staff is not aware of the environmental impact.
2. Standardize to “upon request only” dispensing for single-use plastic items. A “customer request” recommendation is seen as the least offensive way to address groups who may request single-use plastics for physical, social, or economic reasons.
3. Implement data collection of single-use plastic inventory. Restaurants, EEC, Village staff and invested community groups should work together to collect baseline data about single-use plastics from Oak Park businesses. The data can be used to assess the plastic consumption.
Alternatives
The Board may wish to direct staff to bring back the necessary actions to implement the three targeted recommendations of the EEC.
Previous Board Action
None.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
None.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
N/A.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A.
Performance Management (MAP) Alignment
N/A.