SOLANA BEACH — Solana Beach is looking to expand its laws governing single-use plastics in the city’s food service industry.
The original 2019 ordinance prohibits food service items that are not recyclable or compostable, as well as single-use plastic items, according to city documents. The ordinance also requires single-use utensils, straws and other items to be handed out only upon request.
The proposal would expand the prohibition to all plastic food service ware, including recyclable items, and require all distributed food service ware to be reusable or compostable, according to the city.
The change would define compostable materials as those compatible with the composting facility used by Solana Beach’s waste hauler, EDCO. The anaerobic digester that processes the city’s organic waste uses bacteria to break down organic matter without oxygen, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Under the ordinance, paper containers and straws without plastic coatings, as well as untreated wood products, would be allowed, according to the documents. Plant-based materials, such as those made from corn or potato starch, and No. 7 plastics would be prohibited.
Local advocacy groups, including Surfrider Foundation and 5 Gyres Institute, encouraged the changes.
Melissa Morris, an advocate with the 5 Gyres Institute, said that while she appreciated local efforts, she felt the state should take the next step to limit the environmental impacts of plastics.
“Plastic doesn’t disappear after use, but instead breaks up into smaller pieces that pollute our beaches and end up in our air, water, and food,” Morris said in a statement. “Prohibiting intentionally added microplastics from consumer goods and requiring filters on washing machines are low-hanging fruit when it comes to curbing plastic pollution — making those happen statewide is a no-brainer.”
The City Council unanimously approved the first reading of the updated ordinance at its Sept. 30 meeting. A second reading is required before adoption.
Councilmember Kristi Becker said she appreciated everyone who supported the new ordinance.
Solana Beach has a history of adopting such environmental policies. In 2012, it became the first city in San Diego County to pass an ordinance discouraging single-use plastic bags, according to the documents. It also restricted polystyrene food containers under a 2015 ordinance.
Councilmember David Zito said he appreciated the ongoing efforts to update the 2019 ordinance.
“I’m happy that we’re continuing to evolve and adapt to the necessary changes,” Zito said.
Mayor Lesa Heebner said she would like to explore prohibiting the sale of cigarettes with filters in the city, saying the filters “do not filter anything and they are made of plastic.”
