Community Corner

El Cerrito Hosts Drop-In Informational Session About Single-Use Bags

The session will be held at El Cerrito City Hall on March 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Information submitted by City of El Cerrito—

Business owners and managers in El Cerrito are invited to attend an informational session about the City’s new single-use bag and foam food ware regulations. 

The drop-in session will be held at El Cerrito City Hall, 10890 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530 on Thursday, March 20th from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 

Find out what's happening in El Cerritowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Businesses can talk with city staff about the regulations as well as pick up complimentary resources such as display materials to inform customers about the changes. The City will also have product samples available that comply with the new regulations. Retailers and food providers who cannot attend the session can also call 510-215-4350 with questions or to request copies of the display materials.

Find out what's happening in El Cerritowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

As of January 1, 2014, retailers in El Cerrito--except restaurants and non-profit charitable re-users—are prohibited to distribute single-use plastic bags at the point of sale, and must charge for paper bags.  Also since January 1st, food providers in El Cerrito must use compostable, recyclable or reusable food ware when providing prepared food to customers and they are prohibited from providing prepared food in expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam food ware. EPS foam is often referred to by the brand name “Styrofoam”.

In August, 2013, the El Cerrito City Council adopted the Food Ware Ordinance (ECMC 2013-04) and the Single-Use Bag Ordinance (ECMC 2013-03) to reduce the use of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam food ware and single use bags to promote environmental sustainability and reduce litter. The regulations went into effect on January 1st; however, the City has provided a grace period until July 1, 2014 when complaint-driven enforcement will begin.

 

More information is online at www.el-cerrito.org/bagsandfoam.


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