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REGION: State proposes food container ban
Coastal cities, restaurants call plan wrong fix for ocean trash
By DAVE DOWNEY - Staff Writer | ∞
Styrofoam food containers litter the side of a bluff above Carlsbad State Beach near Palomar Airport Road. The state is proposing a ban on the containers. (Photo by Bill Wechter - staff photographer) A state body that looks out for the Pacific Ocean is proposing to ban foam plastic take-out containers that hold greasy fast-food burgers and piping hot coffee in a bid to shave the amount and type of trash washing into the sea.
The California Ocean Protection Council recommended the ban last week as part of a multifaceted approach for protecting marine life off the coast of California.
In a resolution, the council also proposed tacking a fee onto throwaway plastic grocery bags to encourage shoppers to recycle them or obtain reusable shopping bags, and requiring manufacturers to take back used plastic packaging for recycling. The council also suggested a smoking ban at state beaches.
Created by a 2004 law, the council is composed of the state controller, secretary of resources, secretary of environmental protection, lands commission chairman, former San Diego Mayor Susan Golding, the executive director of the Port of Los Angeles and two legislators.
The group's chairman is Resources Secretary Mike Chrisman.
The council coordinates the activities of state agencies that enforce laws aimed at protecting the fragile marine environment and recommends the passage of new laws and policies.
An earlier council resolution helped set legislative priorities for the environment in 2007, though the agency didn't get everything it wanted. For example, a bill requiring harbors to be cleared of abandoned fishing gear failed. But Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a law to make manufacturers keep tiny pellets called nurdles, the building blocks of plastic products, out of waterways.
Not everyone likes the council's priorities for next year.
A restaurant trade group opposes a ban on foam plastic, or polystyrene, food and drink containers, suggesting it would only change the type of litter ---- but not the amount ---- that washes into the ocean.
And an association of coastal cities and counties maintains the resolution failed to get at what it considers the root of the litter problem: a lack of public containers for depositing items for recycling.
"I think there are a lot of things that can be done before the state starts banning things," said Steve Aceti, executive director for the California Coastal Coalition in Encinitas, in a telephone interview Wednesday.
The foam ban is strongly backed by environmentalists, who maintain something must be done to reduce the swelling volume of floating trash in the ocean.
"I think this is going to be a huge help in reducing marine debris," said Danielle Miller, outreach director for the San Diego Coastkeeper and coordinator of beach cleanups along the San Diego County coast.
"This is the No. 3 item that we find, behind cigarette butts and other plastics that don't fit neatly into a particular category," Miller said. "We find these pieces everywhere, and they are really hard to pick up."
Miller said fast-food, clamshell-shaped containers tend to disintegrate into numerous tiny flecks.
Those flecks and other plastics spill into the ocean, where scientists say the items pose a threat to fish, birds and other animals that live ---- and dine ---- at sea. Many animals mistake the plastic pieces for food and ingest the poisonous materials.
It is estimated that 3.5 million tons of plastic waste contaminate the waters along California's 1,100-mile coastline.
"Eighty percent, give or take, of the waste in the ocean is plastic, and polystyrene is a big chunk of that," said Drew Bohan, executive policy officer for the Ocean Protection Council. "And it lasts for a very long time."
It is a serious threat that calls for drastic action, Bohan said.
"A ban is a very blunt instrument that we didn't want to use incautiously," he said. "But in terms of its effectiveness, if a ban is imposed, it will quite clearly reduce that (polystyrene) material that we find on our beaches."
But the foam plastic would only be replaced by another type of litter, said Daniel Conway, a spokesman for the Sacramento-based California Restaurant Association, which represents 90,000 eating and drinking establishments across the state.
"I would question how banning these Styrofoam clamshells would achieve the goal of reducing waste in the ocean," Conway said. "If the issue is litter and waste, why don't you focus on the real problem? You'll still have the waste, it'll just be in a different form."
However, the San Diego Coastkeeper's Miller said the different form might be paper, which breaks down much more quickly in the environment and generally is not toxic to marine life.
Miller said a ban could help reduce the volume of waste, too.
Aceti, who represents the coastal cities and counties, said a ban is the wrong tool for the hour, as it could hurt businesses struggling in an ailing economy.
"I was flabbergasted that the Ocean Protection Council could pass a resolution on marine debris with no comprehensive litter awareness campaign and no local grant program for cities and counties," Aceti said.
Communities need funds to buy storm-drain filters and maintain them, as well as containers that give beachgoers the opportunity to recycle an assortment of items, including plastics, he said. People want to recycle, but even the most environmentally sensitive people won't if they can't find a place to drop off their waste.
"We don't have enough receptacles or the right receptacles," he said.
Contact staff writer Dave Downey at (760) 745-6611, Ext. 2623, or ddowney@nctimes.com.
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Floyd wrote on Nov 28, 2008 7:46 PM:Since the California budget is still unbalanced, I nominate the California Ocean Protection Council for defunding and its elimination as a function of state government.
Jimmy wrote on Nov 28, 2008 9:11 PM:I recommend that the California Ocean Protection council be dissolved as a matter of trying to balance the California budget. In addition, I suggest that each civil servant be given a letter of commendation from the Governor when they come up with ideas for the elimination of worthless state councils, board, and other boondoggle jobs, that will save the state money and help balance the budget.
I have just delve into a program of research on the California Ocean protection Council and in my opinion found an extensive example of weasel wording and waste of tax payers money as I have ever encountered. Perhaps it is that I just do not understand how important it is to them to save the oceans during these hard times. And, perhaps my idea that putting all that they do on the back burner for the time being would be best for the State is not in keeping with saving the oceans. However, I assure you that when our economy has recovered, and the hard times are over, the oceans will still be there with hardly any change. Then, if need be we can save them. That is, after we have saved our economy and our nation.
janet wrote on Nov 28, 2008 10:05 PM:I rarely eat out, but when I do, I take my own containers for leftovers. It's easy. It's also easy to take a reusable bag; I never take plastic bags. It's also possible to avoid over-packaged products, but more challenging because so many things only come that way.
hmmm wrote on Nov 29, 2008 2:20 AM:what am i supposed to eat carne asada fries out of if this passes? someone think of the consequences of such a harsh move.
Ken wrote on Nov 29, 2008 3:23 AM:One problem with this is...it hits small family=owned businesses hard, think of your little independent mex or chinese joints. Why can't the food come in fast-biodegradable paper? One reason I NEVER eat at McVomit's (McDonald's) is those styrene containers, not to mention the bland, tasteless food. Maybe a tiny TEENSY tax could be placed ONLY on those stryrene containers, so that each business only pays according to what it actually uses. I'd rather see all paper packaging though. Best to keep government, whatever the intentions, out of our lives as much as possible. And that goes for Vista Mayor Morris Vance too!
Paul wrote on Nov 29, 2008 6:17 AM:That litter in the photo on Carlsbad beach looks a bit too clean. No food stains, no dirt on the plastic. Looks like a staged photo. Did NCT clean up after they took the picture, or did they leave their trash there?
Lady wrote on Nov 29, 2008 7:37 AM:OMG You have got to be kidding... The state CAN NOT keep banning everything in the world,telling people " You can't do this,or that".STOP already. I see my TAX dollars getting wasted everyday...I really think there are FAR MORE serious issues to deal with right now in the STATE of CALIF!!! Like keeping their tax dollars HERE,people are leaving.. Someone had better WAKE-UP who are in the government
Sam wrote on Nov 29, 2008 8:06 AM:In addition to harming our enviorment and ocean life, plastic and styrofoam food packaging is highly toxic to humans too. Think about it,you are drinking hot cofee out of a styrofoam cup,some of that styrofoam is going to break down and you will ingest it also.Same goes for food heated up in plastic .
To Ken wrote on Nov 29, 2008 8:52 AM:McVomit changed to paper containers years ago. Guess your hatred for McVomit is so old (and so strong) that you've failed to keep up with their attempts to be environmentally friendly. Unlike some of their competitors who continue to use foam and plastic.
Mexicat wrote on Nov 29, 2008 8:55 AM:Looney left. "Do as I say, not as I do".
Do they have a solution for take out food?
To Ken wrote on Nov 29, 2008 8:59 AM:Which Chinese joints are you going to that use styrofoam? All the Chinese joints I go to still use the cute little folded paper/cardboard boxes! Seems like the Chinese have been environmentally friendly for years while the Mexican, Italian, and American joints have all gone to plastic. Got to wonder who these people are who sit on these boards and think up all these things. Where do they eat and just what do they do for a living? How much do they make each year? I'll bet most have incomes in the upper 5% of the population and don't really have to worry about the impact of anything they do or recommend!
Janet wrote on Nov 29, 2008 9:06 AM:One area in the ocean where all this stuff has been carried by the currents is about the size of Texas. I've worked with rehabbing birds and when they die and an autopsy is done, many have stomachs full of pieces of plastic. We used to think the ocean was so vast that it didn't matter how much trash we put in it. Now it's obvious that we are wrong. Many people in the world rely on it for food. We need to take care of it.
The problem has been solved wrote on Nov 29, 2008 9:06 AM:The problem has already been solved. There are bamboo containers that are cheap, durable, safely decomposable in a compost and dispersed in water in just two week made be Eatware. They look and act just like the white foam containers and are completely food safe. Google "Eatware" or "Bamboo containers."
Think Freedom wrote on Nov 29, 2008 9:28 AM:Interesting that just about everyone who has posted on this site has the good sense to see this crazy regulation as an overkill, yet I suspect many who posted on this matter also voted for Obama and his plan for massive new regulations and future taxes on the very small business owners who would be hurt by these state regulations. Welcome to California!
What a world wrote on Nov 29, 2008 9:43 AM:all the world is our trashcan, it seems. We don't deserve this planet.
Trailblazer wrote on Nov 29, 2008 11:49 AM:Once again people, it's about personal responsibility. I don't believe the 'foam' products take to the beaches, trails and parks for a vacation on their own.
Believe it or not, I have seen some crazy things while hiking in the area - a red beer carton lodged in a tree at a trailhead in Oceanside, a smashed ink jet printer midway to the top of the Calavera trail and let's not forget the cigarette butts and empty packs along our highly flammable trails.
As always, it starts and ends with us - not the government.
To Think Freedom wrote on Nov 29, 2008 12:07 PM:You are assuming. No way of backing up your comment. You know what that does.
Fragile wrote on Nov 29, 2008 12:51 PM:I love how the adjective "Fragile" gets tacked on to any and all things the radical enviro-left want to "protect". There's nothing "Fragile" about the Earth or any part of it. The Earth will survive no matter what we do. It's whether it will be inhabitable for us that is at stake. Let's be honest in our writings, and stop evangelizing in news stories.
Banning styrofoam to stop the garbage littering our shorelines and harbors is a good move. Couching it in pious Gainanist terms actually undermines support for it.
Floyd wrote on Nov 29, 2008 1:33 PM:One reason for the litter is because it's hard to figure out which trash can to use -- the one for garden clippings, the one for recyclables, the one for kitchen waste, or the one for used needles? Faced with that choice, it's obvious that styrofoam doesn't fit any of the categories. Eliminating trash can specialization would go a long way towards keeping things cleaner.
MarineGunner wrote on Nov 29, 2008 1:53 PM:I may be dating myself here but...
Any of ya'll remember that commercial from way back in the '70's that had the guy dressed up as an "Indian chief" and he was crying about the litter on the side of the road?
How about Woodsy the Owl? "Give a Hoot... Don't pollute"
As a little kid watching Saturday morning cartoons, those PSA's made an impact and have stuck with me ever since...obviously.
Why is it that we, as the people on this planet, cannot be responsible enough to clean up our own messes?
Thus inviting Govt. to make more regulations.
The Grimace wrote on Nov 29, 2008 1:59 PM:I used to have four arms, but Ronald chopped off two when he was on a bad acid trip. Want to reduce trash? BOYCOTT McVomit's!
More Calif crap wrote on Nov 29, 2008 3:29 PM:I just hate to see another rule and ban on anything. It amounts to personal care and responsibility which many folks just don't have and never will have. First of all need to get rid of this worthless council or commission and start saving some money. Next, look at EVERY council and commission that is funded by the state and very thouroughly start an elimination process.Just what Arnie promised and like many other things he says, never did. The budget money is there without cutting key services. Just too many palms getting greased, too many good old boy councils, and too many political favors. The photo in the article looks setup.Hardly motivates my support.
Oldman wrote on Nov 29, 2008 4:01 PM:What did we ever do back in 1940? Paper cups and paper plates wrapped in paper. Over in Europe they just wrapped you fish and chips in newspaper-and it was so good. I am amazed with the use of all the foam plastic-when paper worked just fine. I always feel it is wrong when I am given foam plastic-what a waste.
That Council wrote on Nov 29, 2008 8:48 PM:...the California Ocean Protection Council, should be dissolved faster than a dead fish for not proposing the obvious, simplest solution: We need more trash cans at the beach.
Can't recall a single reported incident in the last 55 years about a flock of seagulls knocking over a trash can to scavenge the Styrofoam inside.
1ofthelittlepeople wrote on Nov 30, 2008 2:07 AM:I don't eat out much but when I do I wash these containers and put them in the recycling bin. Let them figure it out after that. Upstate NY residents have to use clear plastic bags to help prevent improper disposal of recyclables. They have to protect NYC's water supply.
Escoman wrote on Nov 30, 2008 10:00 AM:Yes!!!!!
This is a most intelligent action. Go to the beaches - they are littered with this crap. Moreover, there is a massive whirlpool of plastic - "The Great Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch and is located in an area of the Pacific Ocean known as the North Pacific Gyre". Most of it is plastic and it is the size of TEXAS!
These containers can easily be made out of wax coated paper or other biodegradable products.
Only the styrofoam industry or a Neanderthal would oppose this idea.
Perhaps the styrofoam manufactures should be forced to fund research to develop a plastic eating bacteria. They make all of the $ off this product and should be liable for the "hidden" costs to us all.
Janet wrote on Nov 30, 2008 11:30 AM:Yes, you can use paper in almost all instances. But I take containers with me and put my leftovers in them. It's simple, plus they are more durable than the containers you get,don't leak and don't absorb the juices. If more people would get in the habit of doing this, it would be accepted as normal, reducing trash and preventing stains to your upholstery. Also, you pay for every bag, every takeout container. I have a shop and a large plastic bag costs 35 cents. I hate to see regulations, too and it's sad that people care so little and have to be forced to do the right thing. Walk on the beach, on any street, on any trail and you will find trash.
Paul wrote on Nov 30, 2008 2:13 PM:Some people are pigs. Passing another law, won't do much. I wonder how much motor oil gets dumped down into the water run off drainage systems that ends up in the streams and ocean? What's next -- ban motor oil? How many people dump sewage from their campers into the same run off? What's next -- ban campers? I have a draconian solution, but it wouldn't be printed here.
yellow wrote on Dec 2, 2008 9:41 PM:I live in Hawaii and go to beach cleanups once or twice a month - currents carry trash to our beaches from all over Asia/Pacific. Plastics everywhere! Huge peaces. Tiny peaces. Mostly blue & white ones because birds and fish eat the red & yellow ones - they look like food to them. Eventually non-biodegradable trash end up in the Ocean. It's happening all over the world. Break down into small bits and enter our food chain. We are eating it already - did you know that?
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