On Tuesday, the Carlsbad City Council approved the Sustainable Materials Management Implementation Plan, which outlines how the city will eliminate hard to recycle waste from the landfill, reduce plastic pollution and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Over the next three years, staff will develop and implement the plan’s new policies including:
A single-use plastic and expanded polystyrene food ware upon-request ordinance by June 1, 2022 and phased in material ban throughout the city by July 1, 2023
A ban on the use of plastic beverage bottles for city facilities and city-affiliated events by July 1, 2023
A ban on intentionally releasing balloons, which would go into effect by July 1, 2023
A phased in implementation plastic bag ban which would go into effect for retail only in July 2023 and expand to restaurants by July 2024
As part of the plan, the City Council also approved six new staff who will coordinate the new programs and raise awareness in the community about the changes, so residents and businesses have plenty of time to prepare.
State organics law and new trash hauler
Another part of the implementation plan is compliance with the state’s organics recycling law where organic waste will be diverted from the landfill.
On July 1, 2022, Republic Services will take over from Waste Management as the City of Carlsbad’s contracted waste hauler. Their services will include providing organics collection services to all residents and businesses.
At that time, Carlsbad residents will begin disposing of their food scraps with their green waste. Republic’s recycling coordinators have already started visiting Carlsbad business to let them know about the new organic recycling law, new organic services provided and determine how to best help them comply.
The law also requires some businesses to participate in an edible food recovery program and raise awareness about reducing food waste in the community.
Benefits of new sustainability policies
The policies approved by the City Council this week, which go beyond state requirements, will help make Carlsbad cleaner and improve the local economy and environment by:
Eliminating hard to recycle materials that end up in landfills, resulting in a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
Reducing plastic pollution and protect wildlife from plastics that degrade into small pieces
Improving city cleanliness and quality of life by reducing litter on city beaches and public areas
Stimulating the local economy by creating a more attractive environment for tourists
