HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2010.11.03 - 10266Miscellaneous Resolution #10298
BY: Commissioner Eric Coleman, District #23
RE: Board of Commissioners — Oakland County Re-Affirmation and Implementation of the Policy
to Ban the Purchase and Use of Styrofoam (Polystyrene Foam) in Oakland County Facilities
TO: Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS the County of Oakland has a duty to protect the natural environment, the economy, and the
health of its citizens; and
WHEREAS effective ways to reduce the negative environmental impacts is to use compostabie and
biodegradable materials made from renewable resources; and
WHEREAS polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) is a common environmental pollutant, as well as, a non-
biodegradable substance that is commonly used; and
WHEREAS the Oakland County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted Miscellaneous Resolution
#89236 to "institute a policy to prohibit the purchasing of styrofoam products by the departments of
Oakland County government and does direct that the County Executive instruct the Director of
Management and Budget to have the Purchasing Department develop a policy for submission to, and
approval of the Board of Commissioners which limits the use of colored paper; use of 8.5 x 14 paper; and
prohibits the purchase ofstvrofoam and non-biodegradable, non-recyclable and kindred products wherever
an environmental safer substitute can be obtained"; and
WHEREAS there continues to be no meaningful recycling of polystyrene foam food service ware, and
biodegradable or compostable food service ware is an affordable, safe, more ecologically-sound
alternative; and
WHEREAS the natural compost product from biodegradable or compostable materials is used as fertilizer
for farms and gardens, thereby moving towards a healthier zero waste system; and
WHEREAS polystyrene foam is notorious as a pollutant that breaks down into smaller, non-biodegradable
pieces that are ingested by marine life and other wildlife, thus harming or killing them; and
WHEREAS due to the physical properties of polystyrene, the EPA states "that such materials can also
have serious impacts on human health, wildlife, the aquatic environment and the economy" and
WHEREAS styrene, a component of polystyrene, is a known hazardous substance that medical evidence
and the Food and Drug Administration suggests leaches from polystyrene containers into food and drink;
and
WHEREAS styrene is a suspected carcinogen and neurotoxin which potentially threatens human health;
and
WHEREAS due to these concerns, nearly 100 cities have banned polystyrene foam food service ware.
Many businesses and national corporations have successfully replaced polystyrene foam and other non-
biodegradable food service ware with affordable, safe, biodegradable products; and
WHEREAS restricting the use of polystyrene foam food service ware products and replacing non-
biodegradable food service ware with biodegradable food service ware products will further protect the
public health and safety of the residents and employees of Oakland County, the natural environment,
waterways and wildlife.
CWimissioner
Diprict # ( 5-
/41
Commissioner
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby
recognizes that it has a duty to protect the natural environment, the economy, and the health of its citizens
and re-affirms the ban on the purchase and use of polystyrene foam food service products in Oakland
County facilities by departments, vendors or concessionaires - when products made of returnable,
biodegradable, recyclable and degradable materials are available,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Executive's administration is requested to establish
and enforce a purchasing provision to prohibit the purchase of polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) products, as
well as. the use of polystyrene foam products by vendors or concessionaires in Oakland County facilities,
effective January 1,2011.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk is requested to forward copies of this
adopted resolution to the Oakland County Executive, Oakland County Department of Management &
Budget, Oakland County Purchasing Division, Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission, Kosch
Catering, Oakland County Health Division and the Michigan Association of Counties.
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Resolution #10298 November 3, 2010
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee. There were no objections.