This is the third workshop called by the City Commission to implement procedures intended to lead t to the reduction of plastic products in the City of Stuart. Pursuant to Commission direction, the topics have been separated into two ordinances.  The first creates Article IX in Chapter 20 of the City of Stuart Code of Ordinances.  Within Article XI there are currently two subdivisions proposed.   Division A provides regulations for the distribution and regulation of expanded polystyrene products on city owned property and Division B is drafted to regulate plastic straws within the geographic boundaries of the City.  Ordinance 2413 will address Division A and Ordinance 2416 will address Division B.

Division A is the subject of this agenda item.  There has been lengthy discussion by the Commission  regarding this issue and the consensus is that the City Commission is seeking a reduction in the plastic waste that is disposed of on City property and ultimately transported to the landfill.  Initially, the proposed remedy was to prohibit "non-recyclable" plastic on City property. The theory was that if patrons of the Stuart facilities only used recyclable plastics, it would result in an overall reduction of plastic ending up in the landfill and the remaining products would be in turn recycled for additional uses.

However, after review, staff believes that this will continue to result in excessive amounts of  plastic ultimately ending up in the landfill.  Even though the constituents will be trying to use "recyclable plastic", it will still be placed in the garbage receptacles because it will be combined with food products.  As a result, the landfill will end up with "recyclable plastics" instead of single use plastics.  Therefore, staff is proposing a requirement that only products which qualify for composting be allowed on City property.  Accordingly, all plastics would be prohibited even though the City doesn't have a composting facility.  The theory is that the compostable products will replace the plastics in the landfill and will ultimately degrade whereas the plastic will last forever.