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7. Take Out Food Containers — State of the Region <br />Civil Engineer Stephanie Smith made a presentation to the Commission on take- <br />out food containers. <br />Mr. Johnson indicated the City has been working on making events zero waste and <br />the costs ended up being a few cents each per item. He thought looking at it from a <br />business side, there could be a sticker shock from one type of container to another, <br />if purchased in bulk. <br />Ms. Smith indicated she could reach out to some businesses in St. Paul to see what <br />their impact has been for turning to compostable containers. <br />Chair Wozniak indicated container costs are one factor but he was wondering about <br />other costs such as did business choose to leave a city due to compostable or <br />recyclable container requirement. <br />Ms. Smith thought the cities would be more lenient on those measures instead. St. <br />Louis Park and Minneapolis both had allowances for if the businesses were not able <br />to find a compostable or recyclable alternative from what the business typically <br />uses. <br />Chair Wozniak indicated another perspective he would like to hear from is from the <br />recycler. <br />Ms. Smith indicated she would be interested in that information too. She did not <br />think Minneapolis was single sort like Ramsey County is with Eureka She thought <br />there are other ways the Commission can talk about sustainable practices. <br />Member Spencer asked what the plan is for the plastic bags that carryout the take- <br />out containers. <br />Ms. Smith indicated Minneapolis has a plastic bag ban. She thought if the <br />Commission wanted to consider a plastic bag ban that could be reviewed and would <br />affect retail stores as well as restaurants. <br />Chair Wozniak thought the both the recycling vendor and waste processing facility <br />would appreciate that. He noted bags get stuck on processing equipment and have <br />to be jackhammered off the equipment at the end of each day. <br />8. Business Sustainability Recognition Program <br />Civil Engineer Stephanie Smith made a presentation on the Green Business <br />Recognition Program. <br />Vice -Chair Ficek indicated the programs seem to be successful and he wondered if <br />they were accepted by businesses. He asked if there is any feedback from <br />businesses in other cities. <br />Page 6 of 9 <br />