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The League of Women Voters is well known for its advocacy work at the state and national levels. But did you know that your local chapter has been effective on a key environmental issue – curbing the use of single-use plastics?
Single-use plastics such as utensils for takeout food litter the landscape and clog waterways. They break down into fragments that can release toxic chemicals. Polystyrene containers are particularly harmful because they are slow to break down and the foam can leach harmful chemicals into the water supply.
The persistent efforts of the Environment Committee, co-chaired by Marsha Borders and Beverly Graham, have contributed to the first local ordinances regulating the distribution of single-use plastics. In Oak Park, for example, restaurants are not supposed to add plastic utensils to a takeout order unless specifically requested. Polystyrene containers will be banned starting Jan. 1, 2024.
Oak Park’s neighboring communities of River Forest and Forest Park also have adopted ordinances on plastic utensils, creating a tri-village approach to sustainability. River Forest will also begin banning polystyrene containers on January 1.
The Environment Committee’s efforts date to 2017, when there was growing awareness of the problem of plastic straws that not only litter but create a hazard for marine wildlife. The Shedd Aquarium at that time launched a campaign, “Shedd the Straw,” to curb usage. The Shedd noted that volunteers at a single beach cleanup collected more than 400 straws and stirrers.
The committee piggy-backed on the Shedd initiative and contacted business owners to learn if they would take steps away from plastic. Would they agree not to give out straws or utensils? Would they switch to compostable items?
Marsha and Bev presented to the Oak Park Village Board and started working with the village’s Environment and Energy Commission to develop an ordinance. But the work came to a halt when the pandemic hit in early 2020.
Efforts picked up again last year as the River Forest Village Board adopted its ordinance on plastic utensils. The stage was set for action in Oak Park when the village in August 2022 adopted a long-range environmental plan. This past May, the Oak Park Board adopted the ordinance limiting distribution of utensils and also banned polystyrene containers. Smaller restaurants with revenue of less than $500,000 have an additional year to comply. Forest Park also has passed an ordinance regulating distribution of utensils. Efforts to curb the distribution of straws have been unsuccessful due to opposition from people with disabilities.
Of course, it takes a village to change village policy. Bev and Marsha note that other local environmental groups also have been influential, including the Interfaith Green Network and Go Plastic Free.
What’s next? The Environment Committee is setting out to educate restaurants and the broader community about the new ordinance. During the summer, committee members staffed a table at the Farmer’s Market and discovered that many residents aren’t aware of the new ordinance. Even restaurants owners and their employees aren’t fully informed, Beverly notes.
The committee also would like to see Illinois enact a statewide ban on polystyrene. Gov. JB Pritzker signed a new law banning the purchase and distribution of polystyrene foam for state facilities and agencies starting Jan. 1, 2025. The ban for state agencies is needed to pave the way for broader acceptance, Marsha says.
The committee’s targeted and persistent advocacy demonstrates that it’s possible to effect change. Interested in joining the Environmental Committee? Contact Beverly Graham or Marsha Borders.
On another note, be sure to attend the Second Tuesday program on Nov. 14 to learn how the National Popular Voter Interstate Compact can assure that the president is elected by most voting Americans. See more information below.
Judith Crown
Vice-President
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