rdinancePlastics Waste Reduction
Regulations
Ordinance for Introduction
City Council
January 28, 2025
Plastics Waste Reduction
Regulations Update
Goals of Proposed Ordinance
Minimize use of single-use plastics and non-recyclable and compostable items Encourage reuse
Develop regulations with feedback from the community
Develop regulations that can be applied effectively
Support organizations to implement the regulations
• Take-out food containers can contain phthalates, PFAS, and BPA.
These types of chemicals have been linked to cancer, problems in the reproductive organs, and several other health problems
• The average person eats a credit card’s worth of plastic every week • Microplastics are in our drinking water
• Microplastics are found in nearly every part of the human body Purpose of City of Glendale Plastic Waste
Ordinance: Health
SOURCES: World Health Organization, Assoc.of American Medical Colleges, University of Newcastle, National Center for Health Research Purpose of City of Glendale
Proposed Plastic Waste
Ordinance: Litter
Wrappers
Common Items Found on CA Beaches:
Plastic items from takeaway food and drink
dominate the litter in the world’s oceans
There is a 7% drop in property values when
litter is present
California communities spend approximately $428
million per year on litter cleanup
Sources: NRDC, The Guardian, National Association of Home Builders pricing model Purpose of City of Glendale Plastic Waste
Ordinance: Sustainability
• 10 Active landfills in LA county will be full in the next 15 years • Affects all single-use packaging and plastic foodware and requires all single-use packaging be recyclable or compostable by 2032
• Costs for collecting, processing, and recycling packaging will shift from local governments to producers through a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) SB 54
Landfill Closures
86% of California voters support plastic reduction legislation at the local level* *Oceana USA
Food and beverage
providers
Restaurants, cafes, cafeterias,
bars, delicatessens, bakeries,
schools, food trucks, street food
vendors, food halls and all other
entities that offer food and
beverages to the public.
Foodware vendors
Suppliers, supermarkets,
convenience stores.
City of Glendale
Stakeholders: Who is Covered Under the Ordinance?
City buildings, property,
parks, and city-sponsored
events and concessions.
Strategy for Stakeholder Engagement Round 1Timeline for Stakeholder Engagement December
2023
• Round 1 of
outreach began
including one-on-
one dialog, a
resources guide,
information on
polystyrene ban
and surveys
January 2024
• Round 1 survey
and outreach data
report completed
March 2024
• Second draft of
ordinance
completed
resultant of
stakeholder
feedback
May 2024
• Round 2 of
outreach began
including webinars,
live presentations,
and vendor fair
September 2024
• Round 2 surveys began
including one-on-one
dialog on updated
regulations, a
resources guide,
information on
polystyrene ban and
surveys
October 2024
• Round 2 survey and
outreach report
completed
November 2024
• Third draft of
ordinance completed
resultant of
stakeholder feedback
Strategy for Stakeholder Engagement
● December 2023 -The City of Glendale and ReCREATE began outreach with over 139 businesses visited and 89 surveys were conducted – visits were in-person with a manager or owner with the purpose of educating and creating an open dialog
● January 2024 – Adjustments to the proposed ordinance made to reflect the concerns and feedback of the owners and managers of Glendale businesses ● March 2024 - Second draft of ordinance resultant from outreach completed Stakeholder engagement was conducted in two phases
Round 1
• Required reusable foodware for dining on premises
• Required all “to-go” items be served in compostable materials • Required all foodware accessories (utensils, straws, stirrers) be compostable • Required a 25 cent cup fee for all to-go beverages (to discourage/encourage) • Required compliance with AB 1276
Plastic Waste Reduction Proposed Ordinance Round
1 Nearly 50% of business
owners/managers were
supportive of the first version of the
regulations
Summary of Feedback:
● 139 businesses visited
● 89 surveys conducted
● Cost and product performance were biggest concerns
● 20% of businesses have already implemented compostable and/or reusable foodware ● Majority of businesses have over 50% of orders as takeout/delivery Results: Level of Support for Regulations Round 1
Summary of Policy Changes Round 2 – Based
on Stakeholder Feedback
Initial Policy Proposed Policy Proposed Policy With Sustainability Commission Recommendations
● Reusables required for dine-
in
● Reusables required for dine-in
effective January 2026
● January 2026 for large F&B
providers
● July 2026 all others
● Straws, utensils, stirrers
must be fiber-based
compostable
● Straws, utensils, stirrers must
be fiber-based compostable – 6
months after adoption
● No change
● Compostables required for
take out/delivery
● Compostables or recyclables
required for take out/delivery –
January 2026
● Compostables required for take
out/delivery – January 2027
● 25 cent customer charge for
disposable cups
● NO 25 cent customer charge
for disposable cups
● No change
All to-go foodware must be served in
compostable (PFAS free/Third-party
certified) or recyclable (non-black
plastics #1, #2, #5, cardboard, and
aluminum) containers.
Disposable straws, stirrers, and utensils
must be natural fiber (paper, pasta, sugar
cane, bamboo, or wood) and must be
provided by request only.
Disposable Foodware Requirements
Webinars and Presentations
Two webinars were conducted to provide information on the proposed regulations and collect feedback from stakeholders
Presentations along with a Q&A session were given to The Downtown Glendale Chamber of Commerce, the Glendale Chamber of Commerce, The Montrose Shopping Park Association, The Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce, and The Glendale Sustainability Commission
Vendor Fair held
A video on how to identify compliant foodware products was provided to food and beverage establishments Change in Level of Support
(1 being not supportive at all and 5 being very supportive) Change in Level of Confidence
(1 being not confident at all and 5 being very confident) What is the Primary Barrier You See to
Implementation?
Plastic straws, stirrers and
utensils 6 months after
adoption
Phase 2:
All other items 1 year after
adoption
Phase 1:
Do You Prefer a Phased in Implementation?
What assistance would you like to see the
City of Glendale offer?
Summary of Round 2 Outreach Results
Businesses were pleased with the addition of recyclable materials and removal of the 25 cent cup fee 13% more businesses felt very supportive of the updated ordinance 11% more businesses felt confident in their ability to implement the updated policy Businesses would like a purchasing guide for ordinance approved products Business would like the City to provide more customer education Businesses with an undue hardship are eligible for
an exemption. Undue hardship includes:
• Instances where no alternative to product exists
• Instances where an alternative unavailable at a
commercially reasonable price
• Instances where compliance with this title is unduly
burdensome to the Food or Beverage Provider
• Regulations, including food safety laws conflict with implementation of these regulations
Exemption Process
Thank You
Rebecca Allen
[email protected]
Resources for Implementation Provided to
Compliant Products
• $50,000 per year for two years
• $500 per establishment
• Purchase complaint products
Capital Improvements
• $100,000 per year for two
years
• Focused on small food and
beverage providers
• Assist with capital
improvement to install
dishwashers
Appendix - Incentive Programs
California Green Business receive advertising in
websites, e-newsletters, the press, and other
online/print publications, invitations to promotional
events and mixers. Receive a window decal and
program seal on marketing material.
www.greenbusinessca.org
A technical assistance program to help food
business operators reduce waste and cut
costs by reducing disposable packaging.
www.rethinkdisposable.org
Resources for Implementation Provided to
A guide was provided to businesses that included resources available to support Glendale businesses with implementing reusables, compostables, and recyclables.
Glendale Compliant Product Guide helps
Glendale businesses easily locate City-
approved PFA-free compostables for a
smooth transition.
Scan code above for website
Appendix - Resources
Upstream can provide information and tips on
reusable products and reuse systems
https://upstreamsolutions.org/
Resources for Implementation (Continued)
ReCREATE Waste Collaborative team members
are here to offer technical assistance.
https://www.recreatecollab.com/
https://www.greenscreenchemicals.org/
GreenScreen offers safer options for
reusables
A subsidy program working to eliminate
petroleum-based, single-use plastic from
restaurants and schools by subsidizing the
purchase of reusable replacements.
www.plasticfreerestaurants.org
Appendix – Resources Cont’d