UPDATE ON COBI WASTE REDUCTION 2023: TEMPORARY EXEMPTION ITEMS ANNOUNCED / 25-CENT FEE ON DISPOSABLE CUPS / WHERE TO PURCHASE REUSABLE CUPS LOCALLY / GREEN PAPER PRODUCTS OFFERING PROMO ON PRODUCTS TO BI RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES

Margaret Millmore | Posted on January 7, 2023 |

In November 2021, City Council adopted new regulations to reduce single-use plastic waste, effective January 1, 2023.

These regulations are intended to reduce waste in our environment and litter in the ocean, protect public health, and reduce our dependence on plastic.

COBI’s new regulations to reduce single-use waste effective on January 1, 2023 include:

a 25-cent fee for disposable cups is required
disposable plastic food service ware is prohibited
reusable food service ware is required for on-site dining
disposable food service ware is required to be home compostable*
expanded polystyrene-based food service ware (all plastics #6 and Styrofoam) for prepared food is prohibited
the distribution of single-use personal care products not packaged in “home compostable packaging” is prohibited in lodging establishments
the use of refillable dispensers for personal care products is encouraged in lodging establishment

*NOTE: All businesses have been granted a 3-month grace period to use up their existing supplies of non-home compostable food and beverage packaging for to-go orders (through March 31, 2023).

In late December, COBI announced that the following products have been granted a temporary exemption through December 31, 2023, due to lack of availability:

Plastic to-go beverage container lids (hot and cold)
Bottled juice/beverage containers (made onsite)
Plastic rotisserie dome containers
Clear plastic lids for sandwich trays
Clear plastic sushi tray lids
Clear plastic salad containers
Film cling (like Saran Wrap)
Chocolate boxes and dividers
Clear plastic cups for cold beverages
Small paper pastry bags
Clear plastic confection bags
Plastic bags for transporting soups and other hot/wet foods and liquids (i.e., placing plastic bags around home compostable soup containers for transport)
Clear plastic lids for portion cups (please note that home compostable options are available if you do not need a clear lid)

For additional details, visit the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce website Waste Reduction Page: Waste Reduction Ordinance 2023 – Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce (bainbridgechamber.com)

SHOP LOCAL! SEVERAL BAINBRIDGE BUSINESSES OFFER REUSABLE CUPS FOR PURCHASE:

Support Bainbridge businesses and avoid the 25-cent fee for using disposable cups. If your business offers reusable cups and would like to be included on the Chamber’s list, please email them at: membership@bainbridgechamber.com

GREEN PAPER PRODUCTS OFFERING PROMOS FOR BI RESIDENTS & BUSINESSES

A small, family-run e-commerce business, Green Paper Products, is offering free shipping for orders over $89 and 10% off orders with promo code WINSLOW.

Click here for a list of COBI approved products, pricing and specifications and free samples.

*Information and images provided by the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce

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