THIS WEEK, THE SANTA CRUZ CITY COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER EXPANDING ITS BAN ON PLASTIC TO-GO MATERIALS TO INCLUDE CUTLERY, DRINK TOPS, STRAWS, AND SAUCE PACKAGES, CUSTOMERS WILL HAVE TO REQUEST THESE ITEMS FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT TO USE THEM. THE PROPOSED UPDATE TO THE 2008 LAW WOULD ASK RESTAURANTS TO GIVE CUSTOMERS A 25-CENT CREDIT FOR BRINGING THEIR OWN FOOD CONTAINERS, AND TO CHARGE CUSTOMERS 25 CENTS FOR THE USE OF TO-GO DISPOSABLE CONTAINERS. BIODEGRADABLE CONTAINERS ARE MORE WIDELY USED NOW, BUT THEY ARE NOT RECYCLABLE THROUGH SANTA CRUZ’S WASTE SYSTEM.
