Res No 117-18-15150RESOLUTION NO. 117-18-15150
A Resolution of the Mayor and City Commission for the City of South Miami
encouraging Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners to ban
plastic straws or restrict their use.
WHEREAS, the straw in the average glass of water served in a restaurant will be used for
just a few minutes, but in the environment, it can last more than several lifetimes; and
WHEREAS, wax paper straws wrapped in plastic were successfully used for many
decades before the invention of single use plastic straws; and
WHEREAS, plastic straws, though small, cause serious harm to our environment for a
number of reasons: it easily fmds its way into our waterways due to its lightweight nature, it doesn't
biodegrade, but instead it fragments into smaller pieces which are frequently mistaken for food by
marine animals, and it can't be recycled; and
WHEREAS, the harmful effects of the unmitigated use of plastic straws and other plastic
products are currently being seen in our environment and, once in the environment, plastic enters
our food chain where, increasingly, microplastic particles are turning up in our stomachs, blood
and lungs -the effects of which are only beginning to be studied; and
WHEREAS, a recent article in National Geographic stated that: "One million seabirds
and 100,000 marine mammals are killed annually by plastic in our oceans. Forty-four percent of
all seabird species, 22 percent of whales and dolphins, all sea turtle species, and a growing list of
fish species have been documented .with plastic in or around their bodies.,,1; and
WHEREAS, British Prime Minister, Theresa May, was quoted in a BBe article on April
19, 2018, saying that plastic waste was "one of the greatest environmental challenges facing the
world,,2. and ,
WHEREAS, the United Kingdom is part of the growing list of countries that have banned
or will be banning single-use plastics such as plastic straws; and
WHEREAS, according to a June 5, 2018 article in The Guardian, current proj ections show
that global plastic production will skyrocket in the next 10-15 years. This year alone,
manufacturers will produce an estimated 360m tonnes. With a booming popUlation driving
demand, production is expected to reach 500m by 2025 and a staggering 619m tonnes by 20303 ;
and
WHEREAS, we are so dependent on plastic in our everyday lives and it will take a
movement, a shift in mindset to tackle this problem; and
I https:llwww.nationalgeographic.com!travel/features/plastic-straw-single-use-plastics-in-hotels-cruisesl
,2 https:llwww.bbc.com!news/uk-politics-43817287
3 https:/ Iwww.theguardian.com!environment/20 18/j un/O 5lthe-planet -is-on-edge-of-a-global-p lastic-calamity
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Res. No. 117-18-15150
WHEREAS, we each have a part to play in curbing our plastic consumption: individually,
we can act as responsible and infonned consumers, the private sector can adopt business practices
that reflect environmental responsibility, and governments can enact policies that mandate the
responsible production and use of plastics; and
WHEREAS, it is time for Miami-Dade County to take a first-step towards action and ban
plastic straws.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA THAT:
Section 1. The Mayor and City Commission for the City of South Miami encourage the
Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners to ban the use of plastic straws or require
restaurants to discourage the use of plastic straws and only provide plastic straws upon request.
Section 2. The City Clerk shall send a copy ofthis resolution to each member of the County
Commission, the League of Cities, and each municipality in Miami-Dade County.
Section 3. Severability. If any section clause, sentence, or phrase of this resolution is for
any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the holding shall
not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this resolution.
Section 4. Effective Date. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon
adoption by vote of the City Commission.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 19th day of June, 2018.
APPROVED: v.4I4.£l
COMMISSION VOTE: 5-0
Mayor Stoddard: Yea
Vice Mayor Harris: Yea
Commissioner Welsh: Yea
Commissioner Liebman: Yea
Commissioner Gil: Yea
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