The birthplace of the environmental movement is still going strong.
The City of Santa Barbara is looking to ban the sale of small plastic water bottles, Mylar balloons, plastic confetti, and other products that are harmful to the environment.
“This is a normal progression away from practices that are detrimental to the community, to people as a whole,” Councilman Mike Jordan said. “It’s time to change those practices.”
The city’s three-member Ordinance Committee on Tuesday discussed a series of environmental changes related to single-use plastics and other items that end up in the Tajiguas landfill.
The committee, made up of council members Jordan, Oscar Gutierrez and Kristen Sneddon, voted 3-0 to move a series of proposals to the full council for a vote.
The proposed changes include a ban on the distribution of polystyrene foodware and EPS cartons and trays; single-use water bottles eight ounces or smaller; the distribution of disposable foodware and cutlery that are not compostable within the city’s collection programs; the sale of Mylar and plastic confetti; and all plastic carryout bags at stores.
In addition, the release of latex balloons also would be prohibited.
Residents are encouraged to use safer alternatives, such as reusable paper lanterns or paper banners for celebrations, according to the proposal.
Kathi King, director of outreach and education for the Community Environmental Council, said she recently saw a Mylar balloon stuck to a power line on Victoria Street. She also has seen a Mylar balloon out in the ocean. Boats, she said, stop more often to remove Mylar balloons than they do to see whales.
“They are definitely in the channel, but they are also a fire hazard in our neighborhoods,” King said.
Some people expressed opposition to the changes.
Tim James, director of local government relations for the California Grocers Association, said the proposal seems to target the restaurant industry, but that it also would hurt the grocery industry.
Under the proposal, he said, hundreds of products could not be sold, including baked goods and most notably rotisserie chickens, James said.
“We would fully expect that we would have to discontinue sales of hundreds of products where we would not be able to have compliant packaging,” James said.
He said the language should be changed; otherwise, grocery stores would be heavily impacted.
Duncan McFetridge said he was represented the Coalition for Responsible Celebration.
He said the proposed ban would stop grocery stores from selling foil and latex balloons.
“Santa Barbara’s small businesses will be disproportionately affected by the provisions of this ordinance,” he said.
He estimated that more than 60 businesses sell balloons or are balloon decorators.
“For those entrepreneurs, balloon decor isn’t a side business; it is a core part of how they support their households,” McFetridge said. “A local sales ban would directly and immediately affect their ability to live in a where they work and pay taxes.”
He said such laws don’t decrease demand. They force people to buy their products online, he said, which sends money to other communities.