HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 13629 (Support Senate Bill 405)RESOLUTION NO. 13629
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
SUPPORTING SENATE BILL 405, SINGLE -USE PLASTIC BAG PHASE-OUT
WHEREAS, the placement of materials in waste disposal facilities, such as
landfills and incinerators, causes damage to human health, wastes natural resources
and transfers liabilities to future generations; and
WHEREAS, waste reduction, reuse, recycling and composting conserve natural
resources, reduce pollution and are cheaper than destructive disposal when all costs
are considered, and assist in the creation of jobs in local communities; and
WHEREAS, each year in California more than 13 billion single -use plastic bags
are handed out by retailers and only 3% of these bags are recycled; and
WHEREAS, plastic bags cause slow sorting and jam machinery at recycling
centers costing California more than $25 million dollars each year to collect and bury
the plastic bag waste; and
WHEREAS, according to a study commissioned by the US Marine Debris
Monitoring Program, plastic bags remain one of the top items found consistently during
annual beach cleanups; and
WHEREAS, the Convention on Biological Diversity reports a total of 663 species
have been affected by plastic marine pollution through entanglement or ingestion; and
WHEREAS, the United States Environmental Protection Agency finds that
reducing the use of an item is one of the most effective ways to save our natural
resources and protect the environment; and
WHEREAS, approximately 14% of the greenhouse gases emitted within the City
of San Rafael in 2005 were associated with waste disposal; and
WHEREAS, on April 20, 2009, the San Rafael City Council adopted the San
Rafael Climate Change Action Plan which includes Program LF17 that states
"Investigate options for banning non -recyclable single use items such as plastic bags
and polystyrene takeout food containers"; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the Climate Change Action Plan and its goals to
reduce greenhouse gases, the City of San Rafael has adopted a Zero Waste resolution
that commits the City to reaching a 94% diversion rate by 2025; and
WHEREAS, on October 1, 2012, the Council of the City of San Rafael adopted
an ordinance prohibiting polystyrene take-out containers; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael is actively working with the Marin Hazardous
and Solid Waste Joint Power Authority to prohibit single -use plastic bags throughout all
cities and towns in Marin; and
WHEREAS, State Senator Padilla has authored SB 405, which would prohibit
grocery stores and large retailers from providing single -use bags to customers in 2015,
and would expand that prohibition to convenience stores and food marts in 2016; and
WHEREAS, by prohibiting the free distribution of plastic bags, SB 405 would help
eliminate a major source of pollution in California; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council, on behalf of the
residents of the City of San Rafael, hereby SUPPORTS Senate Bill 405 (Padilla) that
would prohibit grocery stores, large retailers, convenience stores, and food marts from
providing free single -use plastic bags to consumers, and require those stores to have
reusable bags available for purchase.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of San Rafael
recognizes that local efforts to ban single -use plastic bags are necessary and important
to continue.
I, Esther C. Beirne, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the
foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular
meeting of the City Council of the City of San Rafael, held on Monday, the 21St of
October 2013, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
Councilmembers:
Connolly, Heller, McCullough & Mayor Phillips
NOES:
Councilmembers:
None
ABSENT:
Councilmembers:
Colin
Esther C. Beirne, City Clerk