On April 22, 2014 a resident driven effort to compel the City of Pasadena to join the over 88 California cities that have already implemented local single use polystyrene policies was launched at Memorial Park Earth Day Festival. Hard copy petitions were circulated, signatures gathered, and residents informed about the negative health and environmental impacts of single-use polystyrene food carry out containers.
The campaign’s goal: see Pasadena join Cities across the state in adopting a local policy by Earth Day 2015.
6 months later strides have already been made towards this very achievable step towards a more sustainable city. Initially launched by several City residents and public health advocates at Day One, the effort has become a broad coalition, composed of a growing number of local residents, businesses, and prominent local environmental groups including Transition Pasadena, the Arroyo Seco Foundation, and the Sierra Club Pasadena Chapter. Hundreds of hard and online petition signatures have been collected, this website developed, a Facebook page, and Twitter feed. Supporters have organized and spoken at City meetings. The Environmental Advisory Commission has formally agendized, discussed, and underlined its support for a local policy, as well as formed a sub-committee to examine specific options. Most recently, the City’s Public Works Department released its draft Zero Waste Plan, which suggests the adoption of a local policy in the 2014-17 timeframe.
The campaign’s goal: see Pasadena join Cities across the state in adopting a local policy by Earth Day 2015.
6 months later strides have already been made towards this very achievable step towards a more sustainable city. Initially launched by several City residents and public health advocates at Day One, the effort has become a broad coalition, composed of a growing number of local residents, businesses, and prominent local environmental groups including Transition Pasadena, the Arroyo Seco Foundation, and the Sierra Club Pasadena Chapter. Hundreds of hard and online petition signatures have been collected, this website developed, a Facebook page, and Twitter feed. Supporters have organized and spoken at City meetings. The Environmental Advisory Commission has formally agendized, discussed, and underlined its support for a local policy, as well as formed a sub-committee to examine specific options. Most recently, the City’s Public Works Department released its draft Zero Waste Plan, which suggests the adoption of a local policy in the 2014-17 timeframe.
While much has yet to be done, a clear path forward exists thanks to the almost 100 California cities to have already paved the way on this issue, some over two decades ago! It literally can be as simple as the following 3 steps:
April 22, 2015 is 6 months away. The only question remains what steps towards a more sustainable City we as a community will have accomplished by then.
- Oct-Dec 2014: The City’s Environmental Advisory Commission, as experts in this subject area, should review and recommend an existing policy option for the City Council.
- Jan-Mar 2015: The City Council should direct Public Works staff to host several public workshops on the matter to solicit the input of all affected stakeholders (e.g., restaurants, vendors, community groups).
- Apr 2015: Public Works should submit a formal staff report and policy recommendation to City Council no later than April 1, 2015.
April 22, 2015 is 6 months away. The only question remains what steps towards a more sustainable City we as a community will have accomplished by then.