Submitted By
Mindy Agnew, Sustainability Coordinator
Reviewed By
CLP
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Motion to Receive the Energy and Environment Commission's Recommendation to Adopt an Ordinance Prohibiting the Use of Single-Use Plastics that Include Polystyrene Foam by All Eating Establishments and Schedule a Special Meeting for Review.
End
Overview
Overview
On May 20, 2019 the Village Board concurred with a recommendation from the Environment and Energy Commission (EEC) to create a "plastic free July campaign" for the restaurants in Oak Park. During that time, the EEC stated they would return to the Village Board and discuss the results of the campaign. On September 3, 2019 the EEC voted unanimously on a recommendation to the Village Board to pass an ordinance to ban single-use plastics that include polystyrene foam for all eating establishments. This item is to receive the report and then the Village Board will schedule this for review in an upcoming special meeting in January.
Body
Staff Recommendation
Approve the Motion
Fiscal Impact
N/A.
Background
Twelve restaurants participated in the Plastics Free Campaign in July. The EEC committed to meeting back with the Village Board to discuss the results of the campaign and consideration of an ordinance requiring the ban on single-use plastics for all eating establishments in Oak Park.
There is an increasing amount of discussion within environmental groups across the country about the negative impact of plastic drinking straws and all single-use plastics 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 collaborated with local community ...
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