San Juan Bautista Councilman Dan DeVries requested the city officially consider a ban against the use of single-use plastic containers issued to customers by local businesses.
DeVries made the request toward the end of Tuesday’s regular council meeting during the council reports. He said after talking with the city attorney following the meeting, he also supports banning Styrofoam-like containers locally.
DeVries’ idea would add to the existing state ban on single-use plastic bags enacted in 2016, while California lawmakers are considering a phased prohibition of other non-recyclable or non-compostable products by 2030. A new state law also took effect this year that disallows full-service restaurants from providing single-use plastic straws unless they’re requested.
“This is a good way to go,” he told San Benito Live of the broader plastic ban. “I can’t really think of an instance where it’s necessary.”
DeVries, an attorney by trade, noted how several San Juan businesses are already using such pro-environmental policies. He acknowledged a small town like San Juan isn’t going to save the ocean or beaches from plastic pollution, but also said being a smaller community allows officials to act quickly and get something like this passed to set a positive example.
DeVries said he wants to eliminate “needless waste.”
“I’m just looking forward to having a conversation on it,” he said.
