The Los Angeles City Council took another step towards a citywide law that would require restaurants to offer only recyclable paper and wood-based foodware for takeout.
Councilmembers voted on Tuesday to approve an environmental impact report on the feasibility of the Comprehensive Plastics Reduction Program, which lays out a road map for reducing plastic use in L.A.
Despite what the oil industry claims, very few plastic items are actually recyclable. Most plastic forks, straws, and takeout containers end up in landfills, where they break down and pollute the environment.
“Right now, today, the average American consumes 5 grams of plastic a week. That's about as much as a credit card,” Councilmember Paul Krekorian said. “Every week we're ingesting this through the air, through the water we drink, through the food that we eat, and that's because plastic and especially single-use plastic has become so widespread across the globe.”
Krekorian told KNX News’ Craig Fiegener that the goal of the city’s ambitious plan is “to create cultural change” around plastics.
“We've seen where policy has driven cultural change to make our society safer and healthier, and this is another example of that,” he said.
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The Comprehensive Plastics Reduction Program also includes a possible ban on single-use printer ink cartridges and investing in hydration stations at city facilities.
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