Third in a series
Re: “Up Close with Trash Can Strategy”
December is the earliest anticipated date for the City Council’s first formal discussion of a ban on polystyrene food containers.
Two reasons for the delay:
- November will be filled with other time-consuming topics, and
- There is no rush because the expected polystyrene prohibition has spawned numerous strands that demand thorough examination before the Council can move on a ban. One of the most crucial strands will be addressed in days – when City Hall begins polling restaurateurs to learn about how prepared they are to accept a ban and substitute a replacement for polystyrene.
With the enthusiastically declared urgency by environmentalists placed on hold, there is movement.
Public Works Director Charles Herbertson is pondering the feasibility of strategically placing trash cans along Ballona Creek to at least slow the perceived steady flow of debris into the Creek and other waterways, notably the ocean.
What may sound like a capital idea – trash cans along the Creek bike path – runs aground because multiple jurisdictions must approve the trash can placement and, second, because the bike path is too narrow to accommodate both bikes and trash cans.
“Another concern,” Mr. Herbertson said, “is vandalism.
“When you have cans that are not visible and in remote sections of the bike path, they are more subject to vandalism. “This means people can try to overturn them or throw them into the creek.
“With all of these factors in mind,” Mr. Herbertson said, “I have directed the Environmental Program staff to study this and see if we can find appropriate locations to put more trash cans out there as an added convenience to the public who are using the bike path.”
Don’t look for changes in the next six months, though, because there is no room in the present Public Works budget.
Installation of cans – of approved – probably won’t start until after the next fiscal year, which starts July 1.
