Solana Beach approves updates to plastics ordinance – San Diego Union-Tribune

The Solana Beach City Council unanimously voted Sept. 30 to approve the first reading of an ordinance that updates the city’s single-use plastics regulations for food service.

According to a council agenda report, the proposed ordinance would specify that all compostable materials have to be compliant with EDCO’s anaerobic digester composting facility, where the city’s organic waste is processed. Those materials would include paper containers and straws that are not coated in plastic and untreated wood or bamboo products.

“This collaboration is important because some bioplastics are marketed as ‘compostable’, but are incompatible with EDCO’s anaerobic digestor facility, which converts compostable organic materials into renewable natural gas and compost that can be applied to residents’ gardens,” according to the agenda report. “Impermissible materials include ‘compostable’ plant-based materials such as corn or potato starch. These ‘compostable’ Number 7 plastics are not currently recyclable or compostable by EDCO.”

Multiple public speakers at the meeting said they support the ordinance.

Janis Jones, plastic pollution program lead for the San Diego chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, mentioned studies of plastics in the stomachs of local seabirds.

“It’s horrifying and illustrates why we need to do more to reduce single-use plastics and address the growing problem of microplastics,” Jones said.

Other cities including Del Mar, Carlsbad and Coronado have adopted a similar ordinance.

“I’m happy that we’re continuing to evolve and adapt to the necessary changes,” Solana Beach City Councilmember David Zito said.

Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner also mentioned looking into restrictions on the sale of plastic vape pens, cigarettes with filters that are made of plastic, and the use of synthetic turf.

According to the ordinance, “The city of Solana Beach is a coastal community which strives to protect and improve the environment in many ways. Refuse found and collected along San Diego County coasts is primarily comprised of plastics.”