HomeMy WebLinkAboutSupport Letter - Plastic Waste Reduction Regulations (Cortese) - 06.07.2022
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June 7, 2022
The Honorable Dave Cortese
California State Senate, 15th District
Capitol Office, 1021 O Street, Suite 6640
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: California Plastic Waste Reduction Regulations Initiative (2022)— SUPPORT
Dear Senator Cortese,
On behalf of the City of Cupertino, I am writing to express our strong support for the
California Plastic Waste Reduction Regulations Initiative (2022), which will be included on the
November 2022 Statewide ballot.
This ballot initiative would require the California Department of Resources, Recycling,
and Recovery (CalRecycle), in consultation with other agencies, to adopt regulations that reduce
the use of single-use plastic packaging and foodware. This includes requiring producers to
ensure that single-use plastic packaging and foodware is recyclable, reusable, refillable, or
compostable by 2030 and requires producers to reduce or eliminate single-use plastic packaging
or foodware that CalRecycle deems unnecessary for product or food item delivery.
Furthermore, the ballot initiative would require producers to reduce the amount of single-use
plastic packaging and foodware sold in California by at least 25% by 2030 and requires
producers to use recycled content and renewable materials in the production of single-use
plastic packaging and foodware.
This ballot initiative would establish mechanisms for convenient consumer access to
recycling, including take-back programs and deposits, establish and enforce labeling standards
to support the sorting of discarded single-use plastic packaging and foodware, and prohibit
food vendors from distributing expanded polystyrene food service containers.
This ballot initiative would also enact a fee, called the California Plastic Pollution
Reduction Fee, on single-use plastic packaging and foodware. CalRecycle would determine the
fee amount with a maximum amount of 1 cent per item of packaging or foodware. Beginning in
2030, the fee would be adjusted based on changes in the California Consumer Price Index.
MAYOR DARCY PAUL
CITY OF CUPERTINO
CORRESPONDENCE TO SENATOR CORTESE SUPPORTING PLASTIC WASTE REDUCTION INITIATIVE page 2 of 2
Revenues from the fee would be distributed to CalRecycle, the California Natural Resources
Agency, and local governments. Fifty percent would go to CalRecycle for implementing and
enforcing the measure and providing funds for statewide recycling, reduction, and composting
efforts. Thirty percent would go to the California Natural Resources Agency for state and local
grants to address the environmental impacts of plastic pollution, such as habitat restoration.
Twenty percent would go to local governments for recycling and composting programs and
plastic pollution mitigation.
This ballot initiative would provide an opportunity to increase pressure on the plastics
industry to rein in the harmful environmental impacts of their single-use products, and to
rebuild and support California’s recycling system. Reducing plastic production and boosting
recycling helps protect wildlife and our communities from the harmful impacts of plastic trash.
For these reasons, the City of Cupertino strongly supports the California Plastic Waste
Reduction Regulations Initiative.
Sincerely,
Darcy Paul
Mayor
City of Cupertino