Submitted By
Mindy Agnew, Sustainability Coordinator
Reviewed By
CLP
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Motion to Concur with the Environment and Energy Commission (EEC) Related to Creating a Single-Use Plastic Reduction “Plastic Free July” Campaign Program
End
Overview
Overview
On May 7, 2018 Trustee Andrews asked the EEC to review options to reduce the use of plastic straws. The EEC conducted a 5-month review and on February 11, 2019 the Village Board heard a recommendation by the EEC to educate restaurant staff on only dispensing single-use plastics upon request. Trustees suggested staff create a more formal program with estimated costs for the campaign. Although the formal program is not completed at this time, the EEC is recommending a short-term activity for a “Plastic Free July” campaign in Oak Park.
Body
Staff Recommendation
Approve the Motion
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 5 months of research and recommends a program to address the reduction of single-use plastics as follows:
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.
As staff continues to work on a more formal program with associated costs to address the issue, in the short-term the EEC is requesting adoption of an existing Plastics Free July campaign toolkit for Oak Park. Attached is a link to the national campaign. The EEC reached out to the organization who created this campaign and received approval for use of the materials if the Board concurs.
The EEC drafted additional recommendations (also attached). These include, a Proclamation to recognize July 2019 as “Plastic Free July in Oak Park”, and a date on the Village Board’s calendar in the Fall for discussion of the July campaign results, and the consideration of an ordinance requiring the ban on plastic straws.
Alternatives
The Village Board could delay action and seek additional information.
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.