Containers create controversy in Culver City

Culver City officials are backing a statewide bill that would prohibit food vendors from serving food in Styrofoam containers.
Styrofoam, which contains expanded polystyrene, is a liquid hydrocarbon commercially manufactured from petroleum by the chemical industry. Polystyrene is one of the most widely used types of plastic, which environmental groups say are a scourge to the nation’s rivers, streams and oceans.
State Sen. Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) proposed the legislation in February and has urged fellow senators to get behind the bill. “Foam food ware is wreaking havoc on our beaches, storm drains, and creates litter problems throughout the state,” Lowenthal told his colleagues earlier this month.” Fifteen percent of storm drain litter and beach litter is foam, and most of it is from takeout containers.
“It clogs the storm drains and is an eyesore on our beaches,” he added. “In the environment, the containers break down into smaller and smaller pieces and are easily mistaken for food by marine animals.”
Culver City is one of several municipalities advocating the passage of SB 568.
Expanded polystyrene “poses significant problems in our waterways, storm drains and the marine environment,” wrote Culver City Mayor Micheál O’Leary in a letter to Lowenthal on May 2. “Because [the hydrocarbon] can break down into numerous small particles, is lightweight, easily dispersible and not biodegradable, it contributes to the litter in our storm drains.”
Heal the Bay Director of Water Quality Kirsten James said Styrofoam is one of the most difficult forms of plastic to control because it is a lightweight hydrocarbon, which breaks apart easily and can enter the water stream faster than other pollutants. “It is one of those most problematic pollutants because of its properties,” said James. “It’s very buoyant and it can get into waters and nearby bodies like Ballona Creek.”
In his letter, O’Leary noted that Ballona Creek runs through Culver City and is a tributary of the Santa Monica Bay. “Trash and other hazards can enter Ballona Creek, polluting water which flows into the Pacific Ocean,” the mayor wrote. “Culver City supports efforts to clean up and improve waterways that affect our community and supports reasonable and cost-effective environmental programs and legislation to achieve these goals.”
The state Chamber of Commerce and the California Grocers Association, among others, oppose the bill. Culver City Chamber of Commerce Steven Rose said his organization has not taken a position on SB 591.
The American Chemistry Council, a trade association that represents plastic manufacturers, also opposed the proposed bill. The associations points to a study conducted by the Plastics Food Service Packaging Group that claims that polystyrene foam food containers use significantly less energy and water to recycle and dispose of than comparable, heavier paper- or corn-based alternatives.
The American Chemistry Council also opposed Assembly Bill 1998 last year, which many Culver City residents supported. AB1998 would have eliminated single-use plastic bags in most grocery stores, and would have required the stores to charge consumers at least a nickel for paper bags.
State Sen. Curren Price’s (D-Culver City) office did not respond to inquiries regarding his position on Lowenthal’s bill.