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City Clerk’s Office Item # M-5
Background Paper for Proposed
Resolution
COUNCIL MEETING DATE: February 10, 2020
TO: President Dennis E. Flores and Members of City Council
CC: Mayor Nicholas A. Gradisar
VIA: Brenda Armijo, City Clerk
FROM: Larry Atencio, City Council Member
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL RETAIL AND FOOD BUSINESSES
TO STOP USING POLYSTYRENE, COMMONLY KNOWN AS STYROFOAM
AND OTHER SINGLE USE PLASTICS AND TO INCREASE THEIR USE OF
REUSABLE, RECYCLABLE OR COMPOSTABLE MATERIALS
SUMMARY:
Attached is a Resolution of the City Council encouraging retail and food establishments within the
City of Pueblo to reduce the use of single use plastic products, especially polystyrene, commonly
known as Styrofoam and increase their use of reusable, recyclable, or compostable materials.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
Not applicable to this Resolution.
BACKGROUND:
On a yearly basis, 8 million metric tons of plastic pollution is dumped into our oceans and this
amount is expected to increase unless positive steps are taken to prevent plastics from entering
the environment. While plastics are ubiquitous in our society, plastic waste is neither compostable
nor biodegradable, but instead degrades into smaller pieces called microplastics which are then
ingested by wildlife and can eventually make its way into human food and water sources.
The lifecycle of plastics contribute to greenhouse gas emissions released from their creation to
destruction. It is incumbent on all citizens of Pueblo to work on the reduction of single use plastics,
especially polystyrene, commonly known as Styrofoam to protect Pueblo’s natural environment,
which is so critical to the livelihood of so many in this City.
The threat posed to the environment and humans by plastics can be diminished incrementally
through behavioral changes which are easily made. Products that can be reused or made of
paper, plants and other natural materials are available and are more environmentally friendly than
single use plastics.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
This Resolution has no immediate financial implications for the City.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
Not applicable to this Resolution.
STAKEHOLDER PROCESS:
Not applicable to this Resolution.
ALTERNATIVES:
If this Resolution is not approved, the City of Pueblo will not voice its support for the use of paper,
plants and other natural materials which are available and are more environmentally friendly than
single use plastics.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the Resolution.
Attachments: Proposed Resolution.
RESOLUTION NO. 14358
A RESOLUTION TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL RETAIL AND FOOD
BUSINESSES TO STOP USING POLYSTYRENE, COMMONLY
KNOWN AS STYROFOAM AND OTHER SINGLE USE PLASTICS
AND TO INCREASE THEIR USE OF REUSABLE, RECYCLABLE
OR COMPOSTABLE MATERIALS
WHEREAS, on a yearly basis 8 million metric tons of plastic pollution is dumped into this
country’s oceans and this amount is expected to increase unless positive steps are taken to
prevent plastics from entering the environment; and
WHEREAS, while plastics are ubiquitous in our society, plastic waste is neither
compostable nor biodegradable, but instead degrades into smaller pieces called microplastics
which are then ingested by wildlife and can eventually make its way into human food and water
sources; and
WHEREAS, the lifecycle of plastic contributes to greenhouse gas emission release from
their creation to destruction; and
WHEREAS, it is incumbent on all citizens of Pueblo to work on the reduction of single use
plastics, especially polystyrene commonly known as foam to protect Pueblo’s natural
environment, which is so critical to the livelihood of so many in this City; and
WHEREAS, the threat posed to the environment and humans by plastics can be
diminished incrementally through behavioral changes which are easily made; and
WHEREAS, products that can be reused or made of paper, plants and other natural
materials are available and are more environmentally friendly than single use plastics; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Pueblo, Colorado, deems it in the public interest
to adopt this Resolution and encourage compliance by all retail and food establishments in the
City; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that:
SECTION 1.
The above recitals are incorporated by reference into this Resolution.
SECTION 2.
The City of Pueblo finds and concludes that it is in the public interest to encourage retail
and food establishments within the City of Pueblo to reduce the use of single use plastic products,
especially polystyrene, commonly known as Styrofoam and increase their use of reusable,
recyclable, or compostable materials.
SECTION 3.
The City of Pueblo further finds and concludes that the use of reusable, recyclable, or
compostable materials may prevent or alleviate plastic pollution occurring at the City’s waste
disposal site.
SECTION 4.
This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon final passage.
INTRODUCED February 10, 2020
BY: Ed Brown
MEMBER OF CITY COUNCIL
APPROVED:
PRESIDENT OF CITY COUNCIL
ATTESTED BY:
CITY CLERK