Politics & Government
Disposable Cup Fee Coming To Santa Cruz
The council approved a disposable cup fee last week. The changes will go into effect Sept. 8.
SANTA CRUZ, CA — The Santa Cruz City Council approved last week a 25-cent fee for to-go cups.
The council voted to pass the cup fee Jan. 28 as part of a slew of amendments to the city's Environmentally Acceptable Food Packaging and Products Ordinance.
The revised ordinance also encourages businesses to offer a 25-cent credit to customers who bring their own reusable containers and cups.
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The fee will take effect Sept. 8.
“With more and more evidence of the negative impacts of such disposed waste, we want to encourage businesses, residents and tourists to make environmentally responsible choices," said Santa Cruz Waste Reduction Manager Leslie O'Malley in a press release.
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The ordinance also encourages merchants to charge a 25-cent take-out fee, and prohibits them from providing to-go items such as cutlery and straws unless a customer has requested them.
Read a draft of the ordinance here.
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