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New Education and Outreach Efforts for Single-Use Plastic Waste Reduction

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The City of Bainbridge Island helps educate businesses on upcoming
2023 Waste Reduction Regulations.

The City of Bainbridge Island has partnered with the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce, Bainbridge Island Downtown Association and Bainbridge Island Zero Waste to educate local businesses through a Business Ambassador program about new requirements to reduce single-use plastics going into effect on January 1, 2023. The Business Ambassadors will be visiting local food, retail and lodging establishments over the next two months to answer questions, share educational materials and provide additional information about how businesses can comply with the new regulations and where to find compliant products. The City has also secured discounts on some compliant products through different vendors for Bainbridge Island businesses. 

The new requirements going into effect next year focus on onsite dining, to-go food orders and packaging for personal care products provided by lodging establishments on Bainbridge Island. These requirements were adopted by the City Council in 2021 to help reduce waste in the environment, protect public health and reduce dependence on plastic in support of goals outlined in the City’s 2020 Climate Action Plan.

Waste Reduction image courtesy of COBI 2022-23A variety of educational materials regarding the 2023 waste reduction requirements are available on the City’s website. New materials include:

  • PDF flyers outlining requirements for onsite dining, to-go containers, personal care product packaging for lodging establishments, and a new $0.25 fee for disposable cups. The flyers are available in English and Spanish.
  • Examples of compliant home compostable and reusable products.
  • Potential distributors and vendors for compliant products, some of which have provided discount codes for Bainbridge Island businesses.
  • Information on requesting a temporary waiver or exemption from the City Manager.

Visit the City’s Zero Waste website for more information and to download educational materials and compliant products.

Contact Hannah Ljunggren at hljunggren@bainbridgewa.gov or 206-780-8594 for more information.

COBI Climate Smart Challenge image 2022-3Businesses that pledge to reduce their use of single-use plastics now, before the new requirements go into effect in 2023, will receive recognition as a Climate Smart Bainbridge business.  Participating businesses will receive free social media promotion, newspaper advertisements, and a PVC-free window Climate Pledge Window Stickercling to showcase their waste reduction leadership.

Customers can do their part by looking for the window decal at local businesses. They can also pledge to reduce their use of single-use plastics as well.

 Business Pledge to Erase the Waste

 Customer Pledge to Erase the Waste

 

*Information and images provided by the City of Bainbridge Island

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