Foam Ban Spreading
Del Rey Oaks, unincorporated county explore Styrofoam packaging ban.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Styrofoam is quickly losing its local territory, as unincorporated Monterey County and the city of Del Rey Oaks consider ordinances banning take-out polystyrene packaging.
The cities of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pacific Grove and Monterey have already adopted similar bans, and the cities of Marina and Seaside may not be far behind. The Oldtown Monterey Farmers Market takes it a step further, banning not only Styrofoam but also petroleum-based plastic bags.
Since spring 2008, the regional Litter Abatement Task Force has been spearheading a regional effort to ban the plastic foam, which chokes landfills, litters the land and blows into the ocean, where it harms sea life. The movement is also gaining momentum at the state level, with coordination from legislators and environmental groups.
The American Chemistry Council's plastics division has been fighting the ban city-by-city across California; locally, with help from Armanasco Public Relations.
Del Rey Oaks held its first reading of the polystyrene ordinance Nov. 17. The second reading and public comment is scheduled for the Dec. 15 City Council meeting, 6pm, City Hall, 650 Canyon Del Rey Road, Del Rey Oaks. 394-8511. If adopted, DRO's ban on take-out Styrofoam will go into effect 30 days later.
County environmental documents on the proposed ban are open for public comment through Dec. 21. Comments may be submitted by email to MangahisEJ@co.monterey.ca.us, by fax to 755-4555 or by postal mail to Eric Mangahis, Senior Environmental Health Specialist, 1270 Natividad Road, Salinas, CA 93906.
Informational sessions on the proposed county ban will be held:
- Dec. 1 at 6pm, Prunedale Grange Hall, 17890 Moro Road, Prunedale;
- Dec. 3 at 6pm, Monterey County Courthouse, Room 1 (Jury Room), 1200 Aguajito Road, Monterey; and
- (in Spanish) Dec. 9, 6pm, Castroville Library, 11160 Speegle St., Castroville.
The county Board of Supervisors is expected to hear the proposed ordinance in early 2010. For info, call 755-4579.
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