Pasadena City Hall at winter time (Photo – W.K.)
Pasadena’s Municipal Services Committee (MSC) reviewed progress on Pasadena’s Zero Waste Plan (ZWP) at its public meeting on January 26.
By Cheryl Auger
The Zero Waste plan consists of 19 goals to reduce Pasadena’s waste. Public Works provided an update on the plan, maintaining that they met most of their goals. But the numbers indicate that the goals weren’t specific enough or sufficient enough to help Pasadena with its waste problem. Since the Zero Waste Plan was approved in 2013, Pasadenans now produce almost 50% more waste than they did in 2013, and plastic waste grew from 8% to 12%. While the city was supposed to implement diversion programs for organics & compostables by 2020, the city is just now looking to bring a composting consultant onboard by October of 2021.
Reduce waste from restaurant take-out
Many of the public comments at the January 25 meeting of Pasadena’s Municipal Services Committee (MSC) focused on the need to reduce waste from restaurant take-out, specifically “Accessories Upon Request”. “Accessories Upon Request” directs restaurants that provide takeout to only provide accessories like utensils, napkins, and condiments if someone requests them. This helps limit waste from takeout. “Accessories Upon Request” passed last week in LA City and is under review by the LA County Board of Supervisors. Pasadena Public Works staff were directed to draft “Accessories Upon Request” language for MSC to approve, and a Zero Waste Report Card.
One successful organics recycling program
Pasadena has one successful organics recycling program at the Rose Bowl stadium, where students are trained to compost at home and at the facility to manage food and greenwaste. The city could increase local composting by expanding and duplicating this training program and composting operation at other city-owned properties. Composting locally and utilizing the most appropriate processing technologies could provide the City with an immediate opportunity to manage their organic waste.
The lack of recycling and composting at apartments and businesses is a huge part of the problem but recycling plastic averages around 5% so maybe it is best just to landfill everything and save the sorting and hauling fees.
I would like the author to share details of the store she owns and manages that provides products that eliminate plastic and waste. if more people knew about it, would be great. city of pasadena should also insert in the utility bill mailers, more information about recycling, various types of plastic and locations where to take recycling items.
Maybe the increase is due to Pasadena building SOOOOOO many new buildings, the increase in peoole is causing this! Also, I doubt these buildings [with condos] facilitate recycling… stop building and fix that problem!!
One of the reasons is because people are being told that the recycled items are not really being recycled! I remember being told that even at work when we recycled our paper, we were told that it was a farce that it was being recycled. Maybe people need to be reminded or CONVINCED that these goods are indeed being recycled??! [And remind them what they CAN recycle… they may not read the fliers that come with our bill] I recycle almost everything, I barely ever have trash!
We’ll never be zero waste until the food and product manufactures get on board.
Shocker………