SAN DIEGO — Styrofoam is not allowed in the City of San Diego. After a grace period, a ban is officially in effect.
Businesses bringing in less than $500,000 annually were given a year to comply with the ban, which initially passed in April 2023.
"The ordinance only dictates that you cannot use polystyrene foam. However, we do have preferences for the alternatives that are used, so things like rigid plastic that can be recycled,” said Jennifer Ott, a recycling specialist overseeing enforcement of the ban.
Ott says the city sent out 9,000 mailers, hundreds of emails and hosted a webinar, giving businesses a heads up that exemptions are over.
At this point though, Ott says there are no plans for aggressive enforcement.
Fines, which start around $100, aren't being implemented yet.
"Enforcement is education based and complaint based. So, we're not out doing inspections. But when we receive a complaint from the public, we are reaching out to businesses," said Ott.
It’s not just take-out containers made with polystyrene foam that are banned.
Other items such as egg cartons and coolers aren’t allowed either.
In addition, the ban prohibits restaurants from giving out plastic straws and utensils unless asked.
Some businesses, such a taco shops, have complained, saying changing out Styrofoam is too costly, and in some cases, makes food quality go down.
"It's more expensive. The other option is paper, but with paper, it's soggy," said one taco shop manager.
But, supporters like the Surfrider Foundation, say foam products can poison marine life, making it dangerous for people who eat seafood.
"Polystyrene foam, it tops our beach cleanup reports year after year. It's a toxic material that persists for centuries in our environment, and it's impossible to clean it up because it fragments in the 1000s of pieces," said Mitch Silverstein, a policy manager for the San Diego chapter of the Surfrider Foundation.
Silverstein says he'd like the city to be tougher on enforcing the law, but understands it's hard for some businesses to comply.
"We don't expect 100% of restaurants to do this right away. But, as a community that cares about its environment and its ocean, we all have a role to play," said Silverstein.
The Surfrider Foundation has a program dedicated to so called ‘ocean friendly restaurants,’ where they can learn about alternatives to Styrofoam use.
The city has tips on their website as well.
And, if you're a small business who still needs more time to comply, there's a waiver you can fill out to make that request.
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