HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 13512 (Zero Waste Week)RESOLUTION NO. 13512
A RESOLUTION DECLARING MARCH 17 THROUGH MARCH 22, 2013 "ZERO
WASTE WEEK" IN SAN RAFAEL, AND ENCOURAGING RESIDENTS AND
BUSINESSES TO PARTICIPATE IN WASTE REDUCTION AND ZERO WASTE
ACTIVITIES
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, 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 LF -11 which states, "Adopt a Zero
Waste Goal and develop a Zero Waste Strategic Plan for San Rafael"; and
WHEREAS, on July 18, 2011 the San Rafael City Council added the Sustainability
Element to General Plan 2020, which includes Policy SU -9 which states, "Reduce
material consumption and waste generation, increase resource re -use and composting
of organic waste, and recycle to significantly reduce and ultimately eliminate landfill
disposal," and Program SU -9a, which states, "Adopt a Zero Waste Goal and a Zero
Waste Strategic Plan to achieve this goal'; and
WHEREAS, on August 1, 2011 the San Rafael City Council passed a Zero Waste
Resolution committing the City to a 94% diversion rate by 2025, with diversion meaning
the elimination of materials from being disposed of in a landfill; diversion of recycling
materials to be reprocessed into usable forms with minimal transport, energy use and
other deleterious environmental or social effects; the maximum practical reuse,
recirculation and repair of usable items and components; and the reduction of
unnecessary packaging; and
WHEREAS, on August 15, 2011 the San Rafael City Council adopted an ordinance
mandating the recycling of construction and demolition debris, which establishes a
minimum diversion of 70% of construction debris, with increasing percentages through
2025, consistent with the diversion goals contained in the Zero Waste Resolution; and
WHEREAS, on January 17, 2012 the San Rafael City Council adopted a Resolution
urging the State Legislature to enact an extended producer responsibility framework
and committing the City to implement environmentally preferable purchasing practices;
and
WHEREAS, on October 1, 2012 the San Rafael City Council adopted an ordinance
prohibiting the use of expanded polystyrene foam takeout food containers in food
service facilities; and
WHEREAS, The Zero Waste International Alliance, the GrassRoots Recycling
Network, and the Northern California Recycling Association are hosting International
Zero Waste Week, March 17-22, 2013, and the 8th Zero Waste International Dialogue
and 18th Annual Recycling Update on March 19th and 20th in the San Francisco Bay
Area, sponsored in part by the Marin County Hazardous and Solid Waste Management
Joint Powers Authority.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of San Rafael declares the
week of March 17 through March 22, 2013 "Zero Waste Week in San Rafael"; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of San Rafael hereby re -commits itself to the
ultimate goal of Zero Waste, whereby no materials are land -filled, but are instead fully
recycled, repaired and reused; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of San Rafael encourages all residents,
businesses and public agencies in San Rafael to commit to reducing waste and
embracing zero waste in their daily activities; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of San Rafael will partner with regional, state,
national and international communities to actively pursue strategies that will go beyond
reuse and recycling to eliminate waste upstream.
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 18th of March
2013, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Councilmembers: Colin, Connolly, Heller, McCullough & Mayor Phillips
NOES: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: None
Esther C. Beirne, City Clerk