Why this matters
Research suggests that Styrofoam bans help reduce litter that damages humans and wildlife. Del Mar is part of a growing number of San Diego cities to enact such bans.
The Del Mar City Council adopted new bans on Styrofoam and plastic Tuesday in an effort to help meet its environmental goals. The vote was unanimous.
Under the new law, businesses in Del Mar can no longer offer any utensils that are not reusable or compostable. They also can’t sell expanded polystyrene (more commonly known as Styrofoam) coolers. What’s more: People won’t see plastic bottles at any city facilities or events.
City leaders say the law will help meet its goal to divert 95% of its waste from landfills by 2035. Area high school students and environmental activists voiced support at a December public hearing. Some people worried about the difficulty of implementation and enforcement.
“As we all know, plastic waste is a real problem for marine life and for humans, breaking into microplastics, so thank you for your efforts on this tonight,” said Ann Feeney, a former member of the city’s sustainability committee.
Violations could be punishable through administrative citations up to the discretion of the city manager. Assistant City Manager Clem Brown said the city will focus on education-based enforcement.
“We’re not looking to be the recycling police,” he told the City Council.
The law will go into effect on Feb. 6, but there will be a six-month grace period before the city enforces it. City leaders said they were following the lead of Solana Beach, Carlsbad and Coronado.
The Surfrider Foundation, a nonprofit ocean advocate, lists 10 cities in San Diego County with varying laws that regulate plastics to protect waterways. That list includes Carlsbad, Coronado, Del Mar, Encinitas, Imperial Beach, Oceanside, San Diego, Solana Beach, San Marcos and Vista.
Surfrider’s website notes that “the substantial effort we invest in getting state and local plastic laws passed is only half the battle. Ensuring compliance is the other half. Because, let’s be honest, our hard-won plastic reduction laws are only effective when they’re observed.”
An earlier ban on Styrofoam containers in Del Mar exempted coolers. Polystyrene bans can significantly reduce the harm that the Styrofoam can cause to the environment and wildlife when it ends up on the beach and in the water, where marine animals can eat the toxic material, according to the Frontier Group, a nonprofit research organization.
Del Mar’s law also adds new regulations to the foodware business to ensure that it can be processed by the waste hauler EDCO. Businesses will need to provide things like wood utensils, bamboo food service ware, food-soiled paper and cardboard, plain brown paper bags and wood chopsticks.
Type of Content
News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.