At its meeting tonight, the Santa Monica City Council unanimously voted to rid Santa Monica beaches and streets of harmful and unsightly food service packaging by banning its use in the city.  The ban applies to “to-go” containers made from non-recyclable plastic, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS—better known as Styrofoam®) and clear polystyrene, both of which carry the #6 recycling symbol and are commonly used in food and beverage containers. 

This ban—which does not affect recyclable plastics, paper, coated paper, foil or bio-based products—is aimed at reducing the presence of one of the most frequently found items of debris on Santa Monica Beach and in the bay.  Styrofoam® is particularly harmful because it does not degrade and can persist in the environment for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.

The ban goes into effect 30 days from its adoption (February 8, 2007), but businesses have been given one year to make the switch from the non-recyclable containers.  City facilities and its managed concessions, as well as events permitted or sponsored by the city, must comply with the ban beginning with its effective date, February 8, 2007.

City staff are in the process of developing a notification and outreach program to encourage citywide compliance.  The California Restaurant Association has also begun to coordinate anti-litter campaigns with the city.

The ordinance can be found at www.smgov.net/cityclerk/council/agendas/2007/20070109/s200701007-A.htm.   The city’s staff report can be found at www.smgov.net/cityclerk/council/agendas/2006/20061205/s2006120507-D.htm.