PLASTIC CUTLERY, BAGS, BOTTLES TO BE BANNED UNDER NEW ROAD MAP
Carlsbad to hire two full-time staffers to implement policies
Disposable knives, forks and spoons are among plastic items to be banned in Carlsbad beginning next year with enforcement to start by July 1, 2023, under a “road map” to environmental sustainability adopted Tuesday by the City Council.
Carlsbad joins other cities in the county including Vista, Encinitas, Solana Beach and San Diego that have or are considering bans and restrictions on a host of single-use plastic products from bags to bottles. New state laws mandate the changes to reduce litter, marine pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and to protect wildlife and public health.
“I am really looking forward to this,” said Carlsbad Councilmember Priya Bhat-Patel. “It’s going to be something that many of our future generations are going to thank us for.”
The City Council unanimously accepted the sustainability plan and approved two new full-time positions at an annual cost of $243,508 to implement it.
It also approved four new full-time positions at an annual cost of $537,375 to oversee state-mandated organics recycling and food recovery programs.
The ban on single-use plastic utensils, except for consumers who specifically request them, is mandated by Assembly Bill 1276, which the governor signed into law on Oct. 5.
“We are just in time to be compliant with this new regulation,” said James Wood, the city’s environmental management director. “We have done extensive research and we are ready to begin.”
Most of the restaurants contacted so far have indicated they are willing to cooperate, he said, though some have asked for help in finding acceptable replacement materials. There also will be a public education campaign.
In addition to reducing waste and increasing recycling, the city’s sustainability plan emphasizes sound procurement decisions.
When possible, city employees will use recycled materials and products with a low carbon footprint. Examples cited for City Hall include the use of refillable pens and dry erase markers, rechargeable batteries instead of single-use batteries, and paper and packaging materials with recycled content. Carlsbad also will join the cities of Solana Beach and Encinitas in banning the sale of plastic water bottles at city facilities and city-sponsored public events, and will prohibit the intentional release of Mylar, plastic or latex balloons filled with helium or any other gas lighter than air.
California became the first state in the nation to approve a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags at grocery stores, pharmacies and corner markets with the passage of Senate Bill 270 in 2014. Carlsbad’s plan would expand that law to include the bags used for restaurant takeout food and other businesses.
The city’s sustainability plan also complies with a 2016 state law, Senate Bill 1383, that requires cities to reduce organic waste going to landfills by 75 percent by 2025.
Carlsbad recently signed a contract with Republic Services beginning July 1 to take over the waste hauling services now conducted by Waste Management. Under the new contract, Republic will provide kitchen foodscrap pails for residents to collect food waste to empty into the green organics collection cart.