A little over 1-1/2 years since a group of activists approached the SLO City Council asking for a ban on Styrofoam products, the Council has granted their wish.
Members of the group, SLO Foam Free, said after the June 2 meeting that they would now push for similar legislation on the County government level.
They could be packing for victory prematurely, the rules, which impose sanctions on business owners who don’t switch over from polystyrene containers where possible, still must come up for a second public hearing and final approval. Though largely a formality after the ordinance received unanimous Council support, the second hearing isn’t always a cakewalk.
Crafted over months of outreach, including feedback submitted through the relatively new “Open City Hall” Internet portal, the ordinance prohibits the retail sale of products made of the petrochemical, expanded polystyrene, commonly known under the brand name Styrofoam.
Councilman Dan Carpenter seemed convinced by the arguments that the ban would not be unduly burdensome on local business and would have a positive effect on the community overall. He had previously opposed the concept as government overreach but he joined the rest of the Council in the vote.
There are some exceptions, crafted to still allow sales of products where the foam is contained and unlikely to make it into the environment. Coolers and sport equipment covered in durable shells are still allowable and while food and drink containers are supposed to be substituted for greener, biodegradable alternatives, vendors must only comply if the cost is within a percentage the Council considers reasonable.
Grocery store meat trays and food products imported prepackaged with the foam are also exempt.
Only one person spoke against the ordinance noting that the profit margins of a take out food restaurant rely heavily on the end cost of such containers. A minimum of 15-percent increase in costs must be proven by a business owner to avoid fines in the ordinance as written. Entrepreneurs reliant on these materials will likely pass on anything under that to their customers.
However, as foam-free advocates pointed out, the majority of local restaurants have already made the switch, as have most chains which operate in the 80 other California municipalities to have adopted such bans.
It will take at least a year for the rules to go into effect, with a 6-month window until enforcement after final adoption plus another 6-month grace period where warnings will be issued.