AGENDA ITEM REPORT
TITLE:
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AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY’S CODE OF ORDINANCES, BY AMENDING CHAPTER 12, “GARBAGE AND REFUSE,” BY CREATING ARTICLE IV, “ZERO WASTE,” TO PROVIDE FOR THE REDUCTION OF SOLID WASTE BY LIMITED DISTRIBUTION OF CERTAIN PLASTIC PRODUCTS. (FIRST READING)
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BACKGROUND:
The City has faced challenges in reducing plastic use within the community over recent years. While the 2009 Green Plan addressed solid waste management, a more focused education initiative was launched in 2020 with the “Pass Up Plastics” campaign. Both residents and the Commission have expressed a strong interest in developing a more robust strategy, drawing on successful municipal ordinances from other Florida cities, such as the City of Gainesville.
DISCUSSION:
This proposed ordinance targets single-use plastics, in accordance with the Commission’s directive from the June 13, 2024, City Commission meeting. It mandates the posting of signage at food preparation facilities and drive-thru windows indicating that items are available "by request only," restricts the use of straws within the City to those that are home-compostable, and bans the use of expanded polystyrene containers on City property and rights-of-way. Staff utilized the results of a survey of the City’s food services businesses related to regulation of plastics as the basis for the proposed ordinance. A summary of the survey results is included in the backup for this agenda item.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance.
FISCAL IMPACT:
REVENUES: N/A
EXPENDITURES: TBD
BUDGETED? Yes
NOTES: Some City department costs may increase due to purchasing alternatives to traditional cups, straws, and other containers.