FEUER INTRODUCES OCEAN DEBRIS BILL

AB 904 will eliminate the flow of plastic and other garbage that clog California’s beaches & waterways.

Sacramento - Assemblymember Mike Feuer today introduced AB 904, which would require restaurants and other food vendors to phase out the use of “take-out” and other food service containers that are neither recyclable nor compostable in favor of alternatives that can be recycled or composted. These food containers contribute to the plastic garbage that makes up 90% of coastal and marine debris.

Our beaches and coastline are among California’s most precious public resources. California beach-related tourism alone contributes more than $70 billion dollars to the economy and creates nearly a million jobs. Plastic garbage threatens the vibrant communities and industries that depend on the coast for recreation and fishing, and pollutes vital habitat for marine life,” said Assemblymember Feuer. “Plastic lasts hundreds of years or longer in the environment without biodegrading. This is a problem with a solution that we must put in place now before any more damage is done.”

The problem of plastic marine debris is increasing in California. In the past decade, garbage on our beaches and in our oceans resulting from plastic has tripled. 60 to 80% of all marine debris and 90% of floating debris is plastic. California state and local agencies spend millions of dollars per year in beach litter collection. In addition to adding unsightly litter to our beaches, plastic harms hundreds of wildlife species, some of which are threatened or endangered species under California or federal law.

Single use plastic food packaging makes up the majority of marine debris on California’s beaches. If Assemblymember Feuer’s bill becomes law, California will finally begin tackling one of the world’s oceans greatest problems,” said Mark Gold, Executive Director of Heal the Bay.

Many California cities and counties have already phased out non-recyclable plastic food containers including Santa Monica, San Francisco, Oakland, Calabasas, and Orange, Ventura, Sonoma, Santa Cruz Counties.

Takeout food package is a huge and costly component of marine debris and the waste system. Many local governments in California have been mandated by the US EPA to eliminate trash in the storm drain system, and takeout food packaging is a big part of that,” said Mark Murray, Executive Director of Californians Against Waste. “This is a problem that requires a statewide solution.”

AB 904 was introduced today and will be heard in its first committee hearing in April.

Assemblyman Mike Feuer was elected to the California State Assembly in November to represent the 42nd Assembly District, which includes Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Century City, Westwood, Bel Air, Brentwood, Hollywood, Hancock Park, Los Feliz, North Hollywood, Valley Village, Toluca Lake, Universal City, Studio City and Sherman Oaks.