In an effort to achieve the goals set forth by the City of San Luis Obispo’s Climate Action Plan, Downtown SLO is proud to partner with the City of San Luis Obispo on a new ordinance banning single use straws, cups, and plastic bottles on City property beginning March 1, 2018. The ordinance prohibits establishments from distributing single use straws to customers unless asked to do so. The ban also limits the sale and distribution of single use plastic bottles under 21 ounces and single use cups on City property and at special events on City property.
As such, the Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market and Concerts in the Plaza, among other signature Downtown SLO events, will be affected by the ban. While Market vendors are continually researching alternatives to single use to provide their customers, patrons of The Market and Concerts in the Plaza should bring their own reusable, refillable beverage containers for these events moving forward. Downtown SLO is committed to maintaining high quality, community-enriching events that also align with the City’s larger goals and policies.
The ban, like the countywide plastic bag ban, was passed with broad community support and after extensive outreach to the public. The intention of the ban is to educate and inspire residents to mitigate their carbon footprint and find alternatives to plastics; it is not intended to curtail sales or stifle business. The average American throws away approximately 185 pounds of plastic per year- an incredible amount of waste that typically ends up in creeks, oceans, and open space.
To support the ban and to promote the use of refillable containers, the City has installed six water bottle filling stations. Another ten will be installed by the end of 2019.
For more information, please visit the City of San Luis Obispo website at www.slocity.org or contact Executive Director Dominic Tartaglia at [email protected] or call (805) 541-0286 x 14.
About Downtown SLO: Downtown SLO is a 501 (c)(6) nonprofit founded in 1975 whose mission is to foster an economically vibrant Downtown. Downtown SLO serves the community by working on initiatives like parking and beautification efforts, coordinating special events and the weekly Farmers’ Market, supporting economic activities and examining Downtown issues.