Resolution 2011-41
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RESOLUTION NO. 2011-41
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GILROY
ENCOURAGING USE OF REUSABLE CARRY-OUT BAGS AND
DISCOURAGING USE OF SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS AND
DISCOURAGING THE USE OF EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE (EPS)
CARRY-OUT FOOD AND BEVERAGE CONTAINERS WITHIN THE
CITY OF GILROY
WHEREAS, the Gilroy City Council has established that it desires to pursue the goal of
environmental sustainability on behalf of the community it serves; and
WHEREAS, in pursuit of its sustainability goal to encourage environmentally friendly
practices the City Council desires to educate and encourage residents and businesses in the use of
reusable bags and likewise discourage the use of single-use plastic or non-recycled paper
carryout bags at retail and service facilities within the City and also encourage local businesses
from using expanded polystyrene food and beverage containers; and
WHEREAS, the City Council encourages each of these practices in furtherance of the
promotion of sustainability of the solid waste and recycling system and reduced environmental
impacts over the entire life cycle of the materials; and
WHEREAS, minimization or elimination of the use of single-use plastic bags and
expanded polystyrene (EPS) will help to reduce per capita waste generation which will inure to
the benefit of the community; and
WHEREAS, minimization of the use of single-use plastic bags and expanded polystyrene
will help to increase recovery of all recyclable waste which is a specified goal of the City's
Source Reduction and Recycling Element (SRRE) adopted pursuant to the requirements of AB
939; and
WHEREAS, the expansive usage of single-use shopping bags and expanded polystyrene
and their typical disposal creates an impediment to the City's waste reduction and recycling
goals; and
RESOLUTION NO. 2011-41
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WHEREAS, single-use plastic bags and expanded polystyrene are difficult to recycle and
frequently contaminate material that is processed through the City's curbside recycling and
compo sting programs; and
WHEREAS, recycled content paper carryout bags are a high value recyclable collected in
the City's curbside recycling program and can be made with 40 percent or more postconsumer
content providing a positive alternative to plastic bags; and
WHEREAS, the City Council's goals and values include protecting and enhancing the
region's natural assets, ensuring quality habitat for fish, wildlife and people, and reducing and
managing waste in an environmentally sound and cost-effective manner; and
WHEREAS, minimizing or eliminating use of single-use bags and expanded polystyrene
will assist the City in meeting regulatory requirements related to its storm water National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination Strategy as plastic bags and expanded polystyrene have been
found to be an ongoing "nuisance" to local water bodies and creeks; and
WHEREAS, reusable carry-out bags are considered to be the best option to reduce waste
and litter, protect wildlife and conserve resources; and
WHEREAS, the City Council acknowledges that many Gilroy businesses have taken
affirmative steps to accomplish this goal and recognizes their proactive efforts.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Gilroy
hereby encourages all residents and shoppers to use, and all Gilroy businesses to provide,
reusable carry-out bags for purposes of shopping, dining and any other purposes that will result
in the reduction or elimination of single use plastic bags.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Gilroy hereby encourages all Gilroy food service businesses to refrain from using expanded
polystyrene containers in the provision of carry-out food and beverages.
RESOLUTION NO. 2011-41
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PASSED AND ADOPTED this 12th day of September, 2011, by the following vote:
AYES:
COUNCILMEMBERS: ARELLANO, BRACCO, LEROE-MuNOZ,
TUCKER, WOODWARD and PINHEIRO
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
DILLON
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NONE
APPROVED:
RESOLUTION NO. 2011-41
I, SHA WNA FREELS, City Clerk of the City of Gilroy, do hereby certify that the
attached Resolution No. 2011-41 is an original resolution, or true and correct copy of a city
resolution, duly adopted by the Council of the City of Gilroy at a special meeting of said Council
held on the 12th day of September, 2011, at which meeting a quorum was present.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Official Seal of
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ayjofSeptember,2011.
(Seal)