Laserfiche WebLink
COUNCIL MEETING <br />DECEMBER 11, 1989 <br />that consumers are buying more items that can not be recycled <br />such as styrofoam egg cartons because no other containers are <br />available. The consumer is trying to be environmentally sound <br />but it is becoming harder to find environmentally sound <br />packaging because the trend is away from such packaging. <br />Since nothing was happening at the federal government level <br />and because the state had always felt that this was a city <br />issue, the City of St. Paul worked jointly with the City of <br />Minneapolis and drafted this ordinance which will become <br />effective July 1, 1990. <br />Many issues were examined during the drafting of the <br />ordinance. Costs of getting rid of rubbish were escalating <br />and methods of disposing of the rubbish were diminishing. <br />There was debate regarding keeping plastics out of the <br />landfills because of the residue they left. There was <br />consideration of air and land pollution. Esthetics were <br />considered as well as the effect of plastics on wildlife. <br />Economics were examined and it was determined despite claims <br />to the contrary, consumers will save money in the long run. <br />Some concerns were raised. Grocery store owners contended <br />that they would not be competitive and that shoppers would go <br />to the suburbs to do their shopping. Mr. Long gave several <br />examples of shoppers preferring the paper types of packaging <br />and although it may cost a few cents more in the grocery <br />store, they may save a few cents on the rubbish removable <br />bill. It appears that the new ordinance is sending a strong <br />message to industry that they cannot afford to continue to <br />make non - recyclable containers. <br />Mr. Long encouraged Lino Lakes to adopt a similar ordinance. <br />He explained that as the number of communities with this type <br />of legislation grows, the state legislature will get the <br />message that their constituents will not wait for the state <br />to do something about the environmental problems that we now <br />face. <br />Mr. Reinert addressed disposable diapers. Mr. Long said that <br />this is a separate but very serious issue. His committee is <br />looking at this matter from a different angle. Incentives <br />may be offered to the user to encourage them to use alternate <br />products. <br />Mr. Long was asked why the ordinance addresses only the food <br />industry. Mr. Long said his committee felt the fastest <br />growing problems were in this industry and it could be <br />addressed with the consumers help. <br />Mr. Reinert noted that the automobile industry is a very <br />large user of plastics. Mr. Long said this is also a large <br />issue that will soon be addressed. He also noted that we are <br />now exporting our plastic problem overseas. Many foreign <br />beaches are becoming polluted with plastic waste which is <br />PAGE 2 <br />