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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07. Single Use Plastics- VEAC 100824PRESENTATION BY Beth Markham Environmental Sustainability Manager Single Use Plastics Update Vail Economic Advisory Council 10-8-24 Vail is Leader in Sustainability Town of Vail | Environmental Sustainability Recycling Ordinance in 2014 Plastic Bag Ban and 10-cent Bag Fee implemented at grocery stores in 2015 Town of Vail Sustainable Destination Mountain IDEAL certification in 2018 •Recertified in 2021, 2024. •First in the US to be certified; followed by Park City, Aspen, and Breckenridge. Colorado House Bill 2021-1162: Plastic Pollution Reduction Act in 2021 •January 1, 2023: Required carry out bag fee to all retailers. •Vail increased bag fee to 25-cents (split). •January 1, 2024: Prohibits single use plastic bags at all retailers and polystyrene to go containers at restaurants. •July 1, 2024: Local municipalities can start making regulations on single use plastics (pre- emption lifted). Student initiated process for single use plastic ordinance Town of Vail | Environmental Sustainability 3 Cause for Concern Health Risks Microplastics •Plastic essentially never breaks down completely. •In our food, air, and water •Smaller and smaller pieces found in human lungs and bloodstreams. Environmental Risks Water quality Gore Creek •Bioaccumulation - same principle that brought DDT up the ecosystem. •Laboratory studies of fish have found plastics can cause harm to reproductive systems and stress the liver. Effects A multitude of different chemical combinations - difficult to track what combinations of benign vs malignant. 88% can leach into water. Scientists agree that microplastics are everywhere, including our bodies, and implore us to research more to understand microplastics repercussions. Recycling Challenges Only 9% of all plastic produced is recycled and over 350 million tons of plastic is created each year. Downgraded by the recycling process until it is no longer recyclable. Peer Resort Communities Telluride, CO November 2022: Passed an ordinance banning almost all forms of single use plastic •polystyrene food containers •plastic straws •single use plastic water bottles < gallon •plastic cutlery •Miscellaneous: •Toothpicks wrapped in plastic, cotton swabs made with plastic, plastic garnish spears, plastic condiments packets •Upon request only: •Condiment packets, napkins, and cutlery Timing •Went into effect July 1, 2024 •State of Colorado House Bill 2021-1162 (“HB 21-1162”) lifted plastics pre-emption July 1, 2024 Exemptions •Bans on single use water bottles are lifted in times of emergency •Pharmaceutical drug, medical devices, and dietary supplements Enforcement •Warning for first violation; fines for subsequent violations Town of Vail | Environmental Sustainability Peer Resort Communities Frisco, CO July 2023: Passed Ordinance 23-18 Banned sale or use of single use plastic water bottles or single use plastic cups in any Town owned, leased or operated facilities, and at any special event July 1, 2024: Banned sale of single use plastic water bottles < gallon by any business or commercial enterprise. To -go serviceware provided by restaurants upon request only. •utensils, •chopsticks, •packaged condiments, •napkins, •straws, •stirrers, •splash sticks, •and cocktail sticks, designed for a single-use. Town of Vail | Environmental Sustainability Peer Resort Communities Breckenridge, CO March 2023:Ordinance 12-23 passed •Phases out certain single-use plastics from food serviceware and beverage containers. May 4, 2023: •Skip the Stuff- food establishments must offer all serviceware (forks, knives, spoons, napkins, straws, stirrers, etc) and condiments by request only; allows self-service stations. •Prohibits single use plastic water bottles (under a gallon) and food serviceware from Town facilities and permitted events. July 1, 2024 •Prohibits the sale of single use plastic water bottles under a gallon in all businesses. •Phase 2 of Skip the Stuff: eliminates single use plastic options for serviceware and containers; Condiment packages and condiment containers allowed by request and only exemption. Good at To-Go Campaign - to educate residents, visitors, and businesses. Map of water filling stations in town Town of Vail | Environmental Sustainability Peer Resort Communities South Lake Tahoe, CA October 2022: ordinance prohibiting single use plastic water bottles < gallon in size (exceptions for emergencies). •Phased ban into effect April 22, 2023 (city facilities and events) and April 22, 2024 (commercial vendors). Requires single-use plastic food service ware items may only be provided upon request. •Cups, bowls, plates, trays, cartons, clamshell containers, cup lids, utensils (forks, knives, spoons, and sporks), chopsticks, straws, stirrers, plastic condiment cups and packets. Polystyrene ban in place •Food may not be served or provided in polystyrene containers. •Sale of polystyrene products is prohibited. Truckee, CA January 23, 2024: Adopted the Single-Use Plastic Bottle and Paper Carton Ordinance •prohibits the sale and commercial distribution of unflavored, non-carbonated water in single-use plastic bottles and paper cartons under a gallon in size beginning April 22, 2025. Town of Vail | Environmental Sustainability Aligns with Town of Vail Strategic Goals Town of Vail | Environmental Sustainability Vail Town Council 5 Year Strategic Plan: E. Strategic Priority - Environmental Sustainability: •Our sensitive alpine environment supports our economy, and the Town must continue to be a responsible steward of our sensitive natural resources and should continue to be a leader in environmental sustainability for mountain resort communities across the world. Desired Results: •E.1 By 2029, Gore Creek is no longer a 303(d) listed impaired waterway which would reduce near term risk of losing the gold medal fishery status. •E.3: Reduce 2014 baseline carbon emissions by 25% by 2025, 50% by 2030, and 80% by 2050. Plastic made from fossil fuels •10% of GHG emissions in Vail are attributed to waste. Vail’s Stewardship Roadmap Action 4: Continue Vail’s Commitment to Environmental Stewardship Development Ordinance Process Town of Vail | Environmental Sustainability Vail Town Council directed staff to develop a phased and measured ordinance. Process to include: Draft phased approach to banning specific single use plastics, including: •Single use plastic water bottles less than a gallon in size •Single use plastic cutlery, straws, single use plastic cups •Single use service ware- by request only •Consider other items such as to go containers, etc. in future phases Provide robust community outreach and stakeholder engagement to gather feedback- including the VEAC Share the plan and input from the community outreach with the Planning and Environmental Commission Draft an ordinance to take to PEC and Council Develop a marketing campaign to educate businesses, residents, visitors, and employees. Collaborate with partners to identify new opportunities for water refill stations around town and create a map of their locations. Work with businesses to ensure they have the resources needed to comply, including a possible grant program, pending funding. Questions or Feedback? Town of Vail | Environmental Sustainability Do members of the Vail Economic Advisory Council have questions, feedback or input on the process to develop a single use plastic ordinance? What do businesses need to make this transition easier? Sources Town of Vail | Environmental Sustainability https://slidesgo.com/theme/reusing-plastic-bottles-workshop#search- plastic&position-1&results-27&rs=search&rs=search https://telluride.municipal.codes/TMC/7-8-70 https://www.sustainablebreck.com/goodattogo https://www.sustainablebreck.com/post/are-you-good-to-go-plastic-free https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-02968-x https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/microplastics-are-in-our- bodies-how-much-do-they-harm-us?loggedin=true&rnd=1725992819846 https://www.lovevail.org/dashboard/energy-climate https://www.cityofslt.us/2267/Plastic-Waste Thank you!