New Waldport regulations on takeout food containers will go into effect July 1 after city council vote

 

WALDPORT — Get ready to ditch those foam and plastic food takeout containers July 1.

The city of Waldport officially moved ahead with a tough, new ordinance on most food containers during a brief city council hearing and unanimous vote last week. The quick action – there was no opposition — followed a more detailed presentation and longer discussion last month.

The ordinance takes effect July 1, giving the few restaurants and businesses in town still using foam or plastic time to line up new supplies.

“For only a very few places in town is this an issue,” city manager Dann Cutter told the council.

The city intends to send out fliers and notices to businesses letting them know the new rules, Cutter said. Most restaurants already use some form of takeout containers that would meet the new rules.

A statewide ban failed in the 2019 Legislature, but Portland, Eugene, Silverton and many other Oregon cities have enacted foam bans and “by-request-only” regulations on all single-use plastic. Florence has banned foam containers and plastic bags since 2017, and a polystyrene foam ban in Lincoln City has been in effect for 19 months. Newport enacted its ban Jan. 1.

“We wanted to find an ordinance that had been vetted by others …” Cutter said.

Waldport joins Newport in having one of the strictest ordinances in Oregon — not only banning foam but any plastic food containers. Plastic but not foam drink cups are allowed. Unlike in Newport and Lincoln City, however, Waldport’s proposed ordinance does not ban plastic bags.

Among the new rules effective in July are:

• Restaurants can no longer use disposable items for any in-house dining, although napkins, wrappers and paper trays are exempt.
• Groceries or restaurants operating with counter service can have a self-serve station with single-use plastic utensils.
• Plastic knives and forks can be provided to go at food trucks, restaurants and grocery store delis, but customers must ask for them. The same goes for condiments in single-serve plastic containers and packets, both to-go and dine-in.
• Takeout food containers must be compostable or metal. “Biodegradable” plastic containers are not allowed.
• Food in plastic containers that is pre-packaged for sale by the manufacturer will also be permitted. Plastic lids for compostable or metal to-go food containers are also allowed.

In other business Thursday, the city council:

• Decided to move ahead with a hearing and vote next month on new “time, place and manner” regulations on camping in the city;
• Declined to add two federal holidays – June 19 (Juneteenth) and the second Monday in October (Columbus/Indigenous People’s Day) as paid holidays for its 20 employees. The city already observes nine of 11 federal holidays and employees get off the day after Thanksgiving and their birthday;
• Voted 5-0 to develop a plan to help city water customers install a shutoff value on their side of the water meter. Cutter estimated 500 of 1,500 customers lack the shutoff value and wants to explore a program to include the shutoff in a meter replacement program the city is undertaking;
• Heard from Cutter that bids are now being solicited for the sidewalk construction project on Crestline Drive between Salmon Street and Waldport High School. The project is being funded by a $1.67 million state grant.
• Purchased a new backstop to replace a deteriorating one at Kendall Memorial Field, which the city acquired from the Lincoln County School District last year. The city plans to purchase a second backstop next year.