The Pattachia Room at City Hall, Jan. 15, 2025 saw a workshop hosted by the Economic Development and Environmental Programs and Operations (EPO) Division Teams on the options of banning some specific plastics products. The invitation had gone out for residents and businesses to come and offer some personal insights for those gathering the data.
Culver City’s Economic Development Director Elaine Gerety Warner reflected that the idea had initially been proposed to the city by the local non-profit Ballona Creek Renaissance. “I think everyone understands, how we move forward on this will have a larger effect than just our city.”
The initial proposal, banning single use plastic bottles, outdoor smoking, the sale and use of balloons, and single use plastic bags now had another item added; the prohibition of astroturf.
Yanni Demitri, Culver City’s Public Works Director, brought in some history. “In March of 2023, the BCR brought this idea to the Sustainability Sub-Committee. In April of 2024, the city council added in an online survey (see below for link to current survey) to garner more input. The initial survey got 905 responses from residents and 135 responses from local business.
A comparison to the city’s ban on polystyrene, which the city passed in November of 2017 found participants with differing opinions. While former Mayor Goran Eriksson held that “That just didn’t work,” Interim Chamber of Commerce President Ed Wolkowicz insisted that it did. “I have a pretty great view of the [Ballona] Creek, and I can recall that when it rained, that whole creek was white [with styrofoam.] That doesn’t happen anymore.”
Several business owners asked that they be given an opportunity to consider how to shift, rather than being told what to do. Both Candance Simmons of All That & More Boutique and Paola De Re of Pasta Sisters offered their own ideas; cloth tote bags for return customers, charging a token fee for plastic cutlery – as ways that they had chosen to mitigate plastic usage.
Dr. Khin Khin Gyi, long time resident and noted physician, offered that microplastics end up in our tissues, and that current research is considering if this might be a major cause of cancer.
The details on every item being requested to be banned are numerous, and the city is continuing to gather information and do research.
To participate in the current survey, please click the link below.
Survey Link: https://www.culvercity.org/Services/Environmental-Programs/Culver-City-Environmental-Proposed-Restrictions
Judith Martin-Straw
