Palm Springs composting fines never issued, subcommittee member says
Enforcement gaps in multi-family housing, a possible plastic bottle ban at city events, and a new sustainability badge for short-term rentals were among topics at the monthly Waste Reduction Subcommittee meeting.
The city’s Sustainability Commission Subcommittee on Waste Reduction covered composting compliance, a potential ban on single-use plastic water bottles at city events, and a proposed sustainability badge program for short-term rentals at its monthly meeting this week.
The sharpest exchange centered on the composting ordinance, with one subcommittee member noting that Palm Springs Disposal Services has never issued a fine for non-compliance, despite outreach materials that promised an enforcement period would follow. That drew a direct comparison to the city’s gas leaf blower ban, which only gained traction after fines began.
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“When the ordinance rolled out, what was shared in written materials was, ‘Here’s the start date, and at this date, that’s when we’re going to start reviewing and doing compliance checkups and then issuing fines,'” said the member. “I don’t have the sense that PSDS has ever moved forward, from a compliance perspective, to issue any fines.”
Multi-family housing was identified as the biggest gap, with high tenant turnover and the city’s large seasonal population cited as persistent obstacles.
On single-use plastics, the subcommittee discussed eliminating plastic water bottles at city-permitted events, with members debating whether large portable hydration stations — sometimes called “water monsters” — could serve as an alternative. Members agreed more research was needed before approaching event organizers, including outreach to the city’s events manager.
VillageFest, as well as Palm Springs Pride — scheduled for Nov. 5 through 8 — were mentioned as potential pilots. No other city departments have been consulted on the proposal or its costs.
The subcommittee also discussed a voluntary “resource smart” sustainability badge for short-term rentals and tourism businesses, covering recycling, food waste separation, and water use. The program would target the city’s large transient population and could give participating businesses a marketing advantage. Outreach to the tourism bureau and short-term rental trade groups was identified as a first step.
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