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Fast-food trash be gone!
Oakland City Council proposes a tax on restaurants and convenience stores to help clean up the litter that their food-containers create.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - Some Oakland, Calif. residents are sick and tired of tripping over burger wrappers and soda cans, and the city is ready to do something about it.

The Oakland City Council is proposing a tax on fast-food restaurants, gas station markets, liquor stores and convenience stores that serve take-out food or beverages.

Councilwoman Jane Brunner, who wrote the legislation, estimates that the tax will raise approximately $237,000 a year, which would cover the cost of a clean-up crew and the initial purchase of trucks and equipment to keep the streets and sidewalks surrounding the city's schools litter-free.

"Having a clean city affects everything," Brunner said.

The eight-member Oakland City Council is expected to vote on the ordinance Tuesday, with five votes needed to pass.

If approved, Oakland would be the first city in the U.S. to force restaurants and stores to chip in to clean up the mess, according to reports.

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