Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P].
The city of San Mateo intends to be more environmentally friendly, which is why se seeks a ban on single-use plastic products in restaurants, supermarkets and grocery stores that sell prepared food.
This was reported by The Daily Journal, which said that the initiative will be presented to the San Mateo County Council in the first months of 2021.
With this initiative, the newspaper noted, San Mateo will require the use of compostable utensils instead of those made of plastic, and the regulation of these for those products prepared in stores; however, you can continue to buy plastic items for use elsewhere: forks, toothpicks or spoons, among others.
According to the note, the ban would affect 428 establishments in the locality. However, the pandemic and the low attendance at these establishments would allow the owners to gradually adapt to this new modality.
While the initiative will be introduced in late January or early February of next year, the city is expected to begin enforcing the law by 2022, according to the city's deputy mayor, Eric Rodriguez.
The goal of allowing the initiative to take legal effect for up to two years is to ensure that San Mateo restaurants are not disadvantaged and have a plan of action in place prior to implementation.
It was noted that the city plans to meet later this year with restaurateurs and owners of convenience stores and places that sell prepared foods to alert them about possible changes that will take place next year.
The local newspaper said San Mateo County will be responsible for enforcing the ban, including the financial costs, which encouraged the city to participate.
With that said, the City of San Mateo plans to make its ordinance similar to the county's, which passed this year, require the use of compostable non-plastic compostable items instead of plastic products.
According to the initiative, non-plastic components are required for the manufacture of plates, bowls, cups, food trays, boxes, deli containers and other packaging.
Restaurants and stores must also use non-plastic, compostable straws, stirrers, utensils and toothpicks, and accessories such as chopsticks, utensils and condiment sachets would only be provided upon request or in self-service areas.
Councilmembers Diane Papan and Rick Bonilla agreed that, while the measure is good for the future, it is important to start in 2022 to first find solutions to the plastic waste problem.
Finally, they hope that the next year will represent a window of opportunity before the law is enforced, which will help restaurants prepare and give them time to establish alternatives to plastic options, as it is a challenge to run a restaurant at this time.
