With debates on the environment heating up across the globe, we see that San Diego is no exception. After the city’s ban on single-use plastics and styrofoam went into effect on February 23, many assumed that the styrofoam would be recycled. However, last week the Environment Committee deliberated over a new curbside recycling materials contract which brought a disappointing result for Mother Nature. The agreement indicates that single-use plastics will no longer be recycled and thus 15 tons of styrofoam could potentially be dumped into the nearly-filled Miramar facility.
An unfortunate result considering that representatives from the Plastics Food Service Packaging Group had wanted to handle the project in a public-private partnership with little or no cost to the city.
It appears that instead of taking the environmentally friendly approach, the city chose the expedient and unfortunate option of exacerbating the damage to our local environment. This perverse outcome from publicly-sponsored reform is something that Democrats should take note of.
Although the city ban included single-use styrofoam, it is still widely used for mail and packaging in neighboring cities. The material will, therefore, flow into the trash stream of the nation’s most beautiful city.
“The styrofoam ban did get some members of the City Council great headlines, but their politically motivated ban resulted in 15 tons of easily recyclable material being thrown into the landfill instead,” said Councilmember Sherman. “This bad policy not only hurts the city’s zero waste goals and climate action plan, but it is also bad for the environment.”
Councilmember Sherman’s sentiment resonates with conservative values around the country. An urgent call for market-based solutions to reduce environmental impact is in order.
