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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: October 16, 2018 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 4-d <br /> SUBJECT: Reduce Single Use Plastics Month & Skip the Straw Month Proclamation <br /> DEPARTMENT: Solid Waste Management <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Robert Williams, 919-968-2788 <br /> Proclamation <br /> PURPOSE: To consider a proclamation declaring October 2018 as "Reduce Single Use <br /> Plastics Month" and declaring March 2019 as "Skip the Straw Month." <br /> BACKGROUND: In the spring of 2018, Commissioner Penny Rich petitioned that the BOCC <br /> consider implementing a skip the straw program. In reviewing the issue, the Solid Waste <br /> Advisory Group (SWAG), in addition to supporting the Skip the Straw program, proposed <br /> expanding on the program to encourage the reduction of all single use plastics and having the <br /> County and each Town during the month of October issue the proposed proclamation. Each <br /> Town is anticipating considering the proclamation during the month of October. <br /> Hundreds of millions of tons of plastic are produced every year, most of which cannot be <br /> recycled. Petroleum based plastic is not recyclable and usually goes into a landfill where it is <br /> buried or it ends up in storm-water, lakes and eventually the oceans. While plastic will not <br /> biodegrade, it will break down into tiny particles after many years. In the course of breaking <br /> down, it releases toxic chemicals which make their way into the food and water supply. <br /> The National Skip the Straw Day, founded in 2017, is held the fourth Friday in February, and <br /> there is a movement in the greater Triangle area and with coastal counties in North Carolina to <br /> declare March 2019 a state-wide Plastic Straw Free Month. By issuing the proclamation now <br /> declaring March as Skip the Straw Month, staff anticipates being able to call more attention to <br /> the issue and garner widespread community support. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the <br /> proclamation. <br /> SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to <br /> this item: <br />