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RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A LEADERSHIP ROLE FOR THE CITY OF DULUTH IN REDUCING WASTE GOING INTO THE ENVIRONMENT AND AREA LANDFILLS BY DECREASING OR ELIMINATING THE USE OF SINGLE USE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE CONTAINERS IN THE CITY.
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BY COUNCILOR WESTERLUND:
WHEREAS, approximately 22 million pounds of plastic flows into the Great Lakes every year; and
WHEREAS, plastic particles have been found in Duluth’s local drinking water and locally brewed beer; and
WHEREAS, expanded polystyrene contains styrene, a suspected carcinogen; and
WHEREAS, the Superior Landfill that services the city of Duluth, Carlton county, Douglas county, and communities along the north shore of Lake Superior is expected to reach capacity in 2024 and to close in 2025; and.
WHEREAS, single-use plastic products and expanded polystyrene are not compostable or biodegradable, instead, they fill area landfills and eventually, break down into smaller, micro size pieces that harm the environment and pose a health hazard; and
WHEREAS, the city of Duluth should be a leader in reducing the amount of waste going into area landfills and the environment; and
WHEREAS, the administration has proposed creating a new sustainability officer position in the city to find new, innovative and economically viable ways for the city to be green and to promote environmentally sustainable practices throughout the community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the council encourages residents and visitors of the city of Duluth to reduce the use of single-use plastic products and expanded polystyrene containers.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the council supports the creation of a new sustainability officer position to coordinate the city’s environmental initiatives, including city recycling, community outreach to reduce the use of single use plastic products and expanded polystyrene containers, and work in partnership with local organizations to reduce plastic waste in our watershed and surroundings.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the council requests that the city’s parks and recreation commission study how the city can lead by example and reduce the use of single use plastic products and expanded polystyrene containers in city parks and other city property and report the commission’s findings and proposals back to the council by June 1, 2020.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The purpose of this resolution is to establish the city’s leadership role in the community in supporting better environmental practices. The council is encouraging the community to reduce the use of single use plastic products and expanded polystyrene containers, supporting the administration’s goal of hiring a sustainability officer, and asking the parks and recreation commission to study how the city can reduce the use of single use plastic products and expanded polystyrene containers in city parks and other city property. The council is asking the commission to report its findings and proposals to the council by June 1, 2020.