Redondo Beach City Council To Consider Ban On Single-Use Plastics

REDONDO BEACH, CA — The Redondo Beach City Council will consider a ban on single-use plastic products, such as straws and utensils, at a Tuesday night meeting.

The proposed ban would include polystyrene products and single-use plastic products such as straws, utensils and stirrers, and certain balloons such as Mylar. However, the ordinance includes exceptions for egg cartons, produce trays, packing peanuts and latex balloons made of polystyrene.

The move is to address "pollution issues created by balloons and plastic pollution," protect the health of the community and promote environmentally sustainable practices in Redondo Beach, according to the draft ordinance.

"Balloons and plastic pollution, including single-use plastics and polystyrene, have raised environmental and health concerns related to water pollution, the welfare of marine life, and human health," the draft ordinance said. "These regulations reduce single-use waste; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; reduce the distribution of disposable single-use plastic; reduce polystyrene use and litter in the City; keep plastic waste from landfills; and reduce balloon litter threats to natural ecosystems and ocean wildlife [...]."

Redondo Beach City Council directed city staff to draft the ordinance on September 17, 2019.

Many California cities have passed similar ordinances, including neighbor Hermosa Beach, which passed a similar plastic prohibition in November 2019.

The City Council meeting will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 415 Diamond Street in Redondo Beach. More information, including the agenda, can be found on the City of Redondo Beach website.