CityofGoletaSource: City of Goleta
The City of Goleta now has an ordinance regulating single-use foodware accessories and standard condiments. The ordinance received final approval at the May 17 Goleta City Council meeting. This ordinance will bring Goleta into compliance with California Assembly Bill 1276, mandating that single-use foodware accessories and standard condiments be made available only upon request by the consumer. It will go into effect on Friday, June 17, 2022.
In addition to single-use foodware being available only upon request, the ordinance will encourage food and beverage vendors to reduce plastic and single-use waste through other actions, such as displaying signage stating that single-use items must be requested by consumers. An example of signage is below.
The AB 1276 compliance ordinance will be the first of two expected ordinances seeking to regulate and reduce local single-use plastics and further divert waste from our landfills. Staff shared initial details of a second ordinance that the Sustainability Program is developing to further regulate single-use plastic use in our community. This second ordinance is expected, among other things, to ban expanded polystyrene (EPS) foodware, following over 120 jurisdictions across California that already have restrictions on EPS to improve the health of safety of their communities and environment.
Outreach is currently underway to identify best practices for how the City can support the local business community in fostering the switch from expanded polystyrene and single use plastics to more environmentally friendly alternatives.
To learn more about sustainability in Goleta, go to https://cityofgoleta.org/sustainability.
We could take on rising crime, a devastating drug addiction crisis, or take steps to mitigate extreme fire hazards throughout the community. No, let’s wage war against styrofoam cups instead, that’s clearly the best use of city resources.