That the City Manager is requested to direct the Department of Public Works to work with the Recycling Advisory Committee and other stakeholders to draft an ordinance banning single-use plastic items in Cambridge

City of Cambridge O-6 ORIGINAL ORDER IN CITY COUNCIL May 13, 2019 COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN VICE MAYOR DEVEREUX MAYOR MCGOVERN COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI WHEREAS: Cambridge has successfully enacted ordinances that ban plastic bags and polystyrene takeout containers; and WHEREAS: Cambridge has ambitious Zero Waste goals including achieving a trash reduction of 30% by 2020 and 80% by 2050 from 2008 levels; and WHEREAS: The recently released draft Zero Waste Master Plan contains recommended strategies for meeting these goals, including “support for additional ordinances to ban materials”; and WHEREAS: The City of Berkeley recently enacted a groundbreaking ordinance that will, among other things, ban all single use plastic foodware by 2020, with waivers for vendors who can demonstrate that no comparable alternative item exists, or that the cost of the alternative item would cause undue financial hardship; and WHEREAS: Brookline recently passed a bylaw that will ban many types of single-use plastic foodware by 2020, including cups and utensils, with waivers similar to the Berkeley ordinance; and WHEREAS: As a major offtaker of recycled materials from the Greater Boston area, new regulations imposed by China have presented significant challenges for municipalities, giving a fresh urgency to the reality that we must reduce our overall waste production; and WHEREAS: Cambridge has an opportunity to join Berkeley and Brookline in leading the way towards a single-use plastic-free city, while also being mindful of the unique needs of our small business community as well as seniors and people with disabilities, particularly related to the use of plastic straws; now therefore be it ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the City Solicitor in consultation with the Department of Public Works and the Recycling Advisory Committee and other stakeholders to draft an ordinance banning single-use plastic items in Cambridge; and be it further

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back on this matter no later than December 31, 2019.