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<br />March 11, 2019, Work Session – Item 3 <br />EUGENE CITY COUNCIL <br />AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY <br /> <br /> Work Session: Single-Use Plastic Items Meeting Date: March 11, 2019 Agenda Item Number: 3 Department: Planning and Development Staff Contact: Michael Wisth <br />www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-6835 <br /> <br />ISSUE STATEMENT Single-use restaurant and grocery items—such as to-go boxes, bags, cups, straws and utensils—have gained considerable attention over the past few years for their impacts on the environment. In response to this, many governmental bodies have taken various forms of actions to limit the availability of single-use items. In this work session, staff will address council’s questions from the work session on January 16, 2019, and propose recommendations for controlling certain single-use items. <br /> <br /> <br />BACKGROUND Litter in the form of single-use items and serviceware has gained attention from community groups and local governments over the past few years. Following the January 16, 2019, work session, council asked staff to return in a second work session to answer questions related to health and safety concerns of personal reusable containers and potential impacts of plastic alternatives. After consulting with Lane County Health and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Waste Prevention staff will present on the pros and cons of different regulatory approaches to managing single-use plastic items for litter control and health concerns. In the past, City Council has acted to limit single-use plastic items in the community. In 2012, Eugene City Council voted to implement Ordinance 20498, banning retailers from using single-use plastic bags. The discussion regarding potential action to mitigate the impacts of single-use items that become litter aligns with City Council goals for accessible and thriving culture and recreation by preserving strength in arts and outdoors. A triple bottom line lens was used to develop recommendations. Single-use plastic items are primarily an environmental concern when they become litter. The recommendations are aimed at reducing litter and thereby mitigating the impacts of these items. The recommendations present negligible financial impacts to retail food businesses. Further, there are no expected social impacts, as no consumer fee or deposit is recommended.