Dec 9 - Lafayette Bans Plastic Bags, Polystyrene Takeout Containers

Yesterday evening, the Lafayette City Council gave final approval to an ordinance that would reduce two common types of single-use plastic pollution. The council had previously approved the introduction of the ordinance on November 24th.

The ordinance, starting July 1, 2015 bans single use plastic bags from all retail stores and restaurants. It mandates that paper bags distributed in grocery, drug, and convenience stores include a minimum 10 cent charge.

The ordinance also addressed takeout food packaging by banning single-use food containers made from CFC-processed polystyrene. Instead, at least 50% of the food packaging must be recyclable or returnable, increasing to 75% by 2020.

Both single-use plastic bags and polysytrene food packaging are common forms of litter that are difficult to recycle. Learn more about plastic pollution and its impacts.

Congrats to the City of Lafayette for its environmental leadership. The city is located in the East Bay in Contra Costa County.