03/05/09
SANTA BARBARA - Santa Barbara Assemblyman Pedro Nava wants to greatly restrict Styrofoam, and even some paper products, from being used as disposable food containers in California.
A bill he now has before the legislature would require restaurants in the state use green alternatives instead.
Acceptable containers would include those made of compostable plastics and 100 percent recycled paper products.
The bill would affect a wide array of coffee and blender shops, restaurants, and fast food vendors here in the state.
Nava says the tight restrictions on restaurant take-out waste are desperately needed now to protect our oceans and, would even save the state money.
The California Coastal Commission says plastic marine debris adversely affects hundreds of species around the world.
Nava hopes this and other bills currently up for debate in Sacramento will help change that.
Of course, a change in take-out materials could mean an added expense for struggling restaurant owners.
