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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2008.10.23 - 9634Miscellaneous Resolution # 08024 BY: Commissioner Eric Coleman, District #23 RE: Board of Commissioners — Oakland County Ban on Purchase of Styrofoam (Polystyrene Foam) 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 u uor T1p0561bie dl I 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 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, j.ith.ih I- iii- 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, 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 establishes a ban of polystyrene foam food service products and requests the Oakland County Executive's administration 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. rperson the adoption of the foregoing Resolution. issioner Eric Coleman t # 23 Commissioner District # titti/u.k. Co missioner *k# ommissioner Districy# missioner ,# COmetii s-rio7r District # 7 -Commissio District #1/ Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # 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 Purchasing Division and Oakland County Health Division. Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Resolution #08024 January 17, 2008 The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee. There were no objections.