(July 7, 2008) A California Chamber of Commerce-opposed bill that increases costs on all restaurants by requiring them to provide only recyclable and compostable food service packaging passed the Senate Environmental Quality Committee on June 23.

The bill, AB 904 (Feuer; D-Los Angeles), places new and costly mandates on California’s food service industry by imposing an unworkable framework aimed at reducing marine debris.

In opposing the bill, the CalChamber is pointing out that restaurants and other food providers make choices about food service packaging based on several criteria, including performance, cost and customer preference.

The CalChamber considers the performance issue particularly troubling in that food service packaging must be able to withstand certain heat and moisture thresholds.

Many packages contain various forms of plastics to meet these specific performance expectations. AB 904 does not address the impact of prohibiting the sale of products created specifically for this purpose.

While it is clear that there is a problem with marine debris in the state’s waterways, the CalChamber believes AB 904 fails to address the core problem. The bill would only change the content of the litter stream in California, not the behaviors that lead to the state’s litter problem.

Key Vote

The 5-2 vote in Senate Environmental Quality was:

Ayes: Simitian (D-Palo Alto), Corbett (D-San Leandro), Florez (D-Shafter), Kuehl (D-Santa Monica), Lowenthal (D-Long Beach).

Noes: Runner (R-Lancaster), Aanestad (R-Grass Valley).

Staff Contact: Jason Schmelzer

Additional Materials

Environmental Regualtion