On October 7, 2014 the Pasadena Municipal Services Committee voted unanimously to approve the draft Zero Waste Plan (ZWP), moving the plan before the full City Council on Monday October 20th.
In a 3-0 vote, Mayor Bill Bogaard and Council Members Margaret McAustin and Terry Tornek acknowledged the years of work that have gone into drafting the ambitious City effort to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in a landfill. Nineteen initiatives to reduce waste and increase rates of recycling and composting are outlined in the draft ZWP, with a goal of diverting 87% of Pasadena’s waste from landfills by 2040.
In a 3-0 vote, Mayor Bill Bogaard and Council Members Margaret McAustin and Terry Tornek acknowledged the years of work that have gone into drafting the ambitious City effort to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in a landfill. Nineteen initiatives to reduce waste and increase rates of recycling and composting are outlined in the draft ZWP, with a goal of diverting 87% of Pasadena’s waste from landfills by 2040.
The good news is that among the list of strategies is the adoption of a single-use polystyrene policy by 2017. The bad news is this could still be years away, AND the plastic bag industry is mobilizing to halt the Zero Waste Plan altogether. In short, local residents need to speak up!
Take action!
YOUR voice is needed to ensure the Pasadena City Council supports the Zero Waste Plan on Monday 10/20, as well as the adoption of a strong local polystrene policy in 2015!
If YOU can commit to at least 1 of the 3 following steps, and encourage a few friends to follow suit, you can help make sure Pasadena joins the 80+ other California cities that have already phased out the foam!
If YOU can commit to at least 1 of the 3 following steps, and encourage a few friends to follow suit, you can help make sure Pasadena joins the 80+ other California cities that have already phased out the foam!
- Step 1 (Good) - Sign and share the online petition with friends, family and colleagues who live, work or shop in Pasadena.
- Step 2 (Better) - Call and/or email the City Council and let them know YOU support the ZWP and a local polystyrene policy (see template letter and phone numbers below below).
- Step 3 (Best) - Attend the City Council Meeting on Monday October 20th (7pm) and provide public comment in person. One public comment is roughly equal to 10 letters or 100 petition signatures, so PLEASE attend and, if possible, wear GREEN.
City Council Contact Info
Council Phone Numbers:
- Bill Bogaard, Mayor, Phone 626.744.4311; Fax (626) 744-3727
- Jacque Robinson, Councilmember District 1, Phone 626.744.4444; Fax 626.396.7300
- Margaret McAustin, Councilmember District 2, Phone 626.744.4742
- Anthony Kennedy, Councilmember District 3, Phone 626.744.4738; Fax 626.744.4774
- Gene Masuda, Councilmember District 4, Phone 626.744.4740
- Victor Gordo, Council Member District 5, Phone 626.744.4741 or 626.831.8609; Fax 626.398.1836
- Steve Madison, Councilmember District 6, Phone 626.744.4739
- Terry Tornek, Councilmember District 7, Phone 626.441.4802; Fax 626.441.4806
Council Member and Field Rep Email Addresses (include all):
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Template Support Letter
---------Please Personalize!-------------
Dear Mayor Bogaard, Council Members and City Staff,
As a local resident concerned about the health of our community and environment, I am writing you today to urge the City to adopt the draft Zero Waste Plan, and a local polystrene policy.
Polystyrene food packaging such as single-use cups is a wasteful, unhealthy source of non-biodegradable trash that over 80 Cities and Counties across the state of California have already moved to regulate over the past two decades in an effort to address polystyrene's many negative impacts, including:
● One of Styrofoam’s components, styrene, is a known hazardous substance that releases toxins into food when Styrofoam products are used in reheating (e.g., microwave).
● Polystyrene food packaging is lightweight, easily blown into public spaces, and very difficult to recycle.
● The City of Pasadena does NOT recycle any styrofoam that has been contaminated with food (i.e., carry-out food containers).
● Polystyrene is a major source of plastic marine pollution.
● The US EPA states that styrene can have serious impacts on human health, wildlife and the aquatic environment because the product breaks down and can clog waterways.
● Recyclable and/or compostable alternatives are readily available at little additional cost to the consumer.
The Cities of Santa Monica, Dana Point, Newport Beach, Ojai and Oakland, to name a few, have already adopted local polystyrene policies, to great success. The time is long overdue for Pasadena to follow suit. Please support the draft Zero Waste Plan and the 2015 adoption of a local polystryene policy.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Dear Mayor Bogaard, Council Members and City Staff,
As a local resident concerned about the health of our community and environment, I am writing you today to urge the City to adopt the draft Zero Waste Plan, and a local polystrene policy.
Polystyrene food packaging such as single-use cups is a wasteful, unhealthy source of non-biodegradable trash that over 80 Cities and Counties across the state of California have already moved to regulate over the past two decades in an effort to address polystyrene's many negative impacts, including:
● One of Styrofoam’s components, styrene, is a known hazardous substance that releases toxins into food when Styrofoam products are used in reheating (e.g., microwave).
● Polystyrene food packaging is lightweight, easily blown into public spaces, and very difficult to recycle.
● The City of Pasadena does NOT recycle any styrofoam that has been contaminated with food (i.e., carry-out food containers).
● Polystyrene is a major source of plastic marine pollution.
● The US EPA states that styrene can have serious impacts on human health, wildlife and the aquatic environment because the product breaks down and can clog waterways.
● Recyclable and/or compostable alternatives are readily available at little additional cost to the consumer.
The Cities of Santa Monica, Dana Point, Newport Beach, Ojai and Oakland, to name a few, have already adopted local polystyrene policies, to great success. The time is long overdue for Pasadena to follow suit. Please support the draft Zero Waste Plan and the 2015 adoption of a local polystryene policy.
Thank you for your time and consideration.