SLO County waste authority moves to repeal Styrofoam ban
On March 10, the Integrated Waste Management Authority of San Luis Obispo County (IWMA) voted 7-6 to initiate a repeal of its ordinance banning polystyrene for sale or use under most circumstances in San Luis Obispo County.
Polystyrene products such as Styrofoam cups, plates, and some restaurant to-go containers, are not recyclable or biodegradable, release toxic gases when exposed to sunlight, and pose a waste issue for streams, beaches, and ocean waters.
The IWMA originally ordered a ban in 2019, but delayed implementation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the demand it caused for to-go packaging.
Board members approving the repeal are SLO County supervisors John Peschong, Debbie Arnold, and Lynn Compton; city representatives John Hamon, Charles Bourbeau, and Scott Newton; and community service district representative Robert Enns. Those opposing the repeal are supervisors Bruce Gibson and Dawn Ortiz-Legg; city representatives Keith Storton, Karen Bright, Jeff Heller, and Jan Marx.
Supervisor John Peschong said the vote affirms the authority’s position that the county should have its policies in line with California state regulations. “Currently, there is no state mandate on Styrofoam,” he said. “We are only going to implement state mandates when it comes to waste in SLO County.”
The text of this month’s vote reads: Ordinance 2019-1 of the San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority regulating Polystyrene and Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Food Containers and Products is hereby repealed in its entirety and is of no further force or effect.
The League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County had submitted a letter strongly objecting to the action and recommended the board consider other options rather than repeal the ordinance.
The board’s action on March 10 to repeal the existing ordinance was the first step. A public hearing to consider the final action to repeal will be held on April 14, 2021.
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