Title
Establishing a policy on the use of recyclable and compostable food packaging by businesses and institutions engaged in food service in the City of Saint Paul.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of St. Paul is committed to making the city a leader in sustainable urban living; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul is taking proactive steps to protect our city’s air, water, and urban landscape by focusing on Carbon Dioxide (CO2) reduction activities in the areas of energy efficiency and conservation, clean energy supply, alternative fuels and transportation options, recycling and waste reduction, urban reforestation and natural resources management, and water resources management; and
WHEREAS, the City has prosperous, engaged and thriving business and institutional communities, which are among our city’s most valuable resources in providing jobs and services to residents, and a solid foundation for our city’s growth and prosperity; and
WHEREAS, strong partnerships between the City, Ramsey County, businesses and institutions are essential for a thriving economy; and
WHEREAS, it is in the common interest of the City of Saint Paul, Ramsey County, and our businesses and institutions to strive to work together to reduce the disposal of solid waste and the economic and environmental costs of waste management for the citizens of Saint Paul and others working and doing business in Saint Paul; and
WHEREAS, working together to encourage the use of recyclable and compostable packaging, we can reduce the amount of discarded non-compostable, non-recyclable and non-returnable packaging that is processed at landfills and by incineration, both of which should be minimized for environmental reasons; therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the City Council establishes a policy in the City of Saint Paul encouraging all retail food establishments, hospitals, nursing homes and care facilities, schools and institutions of higher educations, and any organizations currently using disposable food packaging to make every effort to voluntarily comply with this policy to convert to the use of recyclable and compostable packaging (including food related wrappings, bags, boxes, coverings and containers as well as cups, cans, glasses and containers for drinking or holding liquids); and be it further
RESOLVED, that St. Paul City Council requests that the Administration seek funding from the Ramsey County Solid Waste Services Public Entity Innovation Grant Program to enable and directs the Department of Safety and Inspections to work with Eureka Recycling to further engage food service retail and institutional establishments in an outreach and educational effort to promote the benefits of eliminating the use of unsustainable packaging materials both for those entities and for the local environment; and be it further
RESOLVED that City Council requests directs the Department of Safety and Inspections to report on its outreach and education efforts to eliminate unsustainable packaging products through voluntary compliance with this policy, on September 26, 2018, and be it further
RESOLVED, the City Council, based on evaluation of that report, on October 3, 2018, will consider amending Chapter 236 of the Legislative Code to move these goals from a city policy objective to a legal requirement within the City of Saint Paul.