Tampa Restricts Single-Use Plastics On City Properties

TAMPA, FL — The Tampa City Council unanimously passed a resolution this week supporting the restriction of single-use plastics and Styrofoam on city properties.

The city of Tampa’s sustainability and resilience officer, Whit Remer, presented the resolution to the Tampa City Council as part of Mayor Jane Castor’s vision for Transforming Tampa’s Tomorrow by establishing sustainable best practices.

“Tampa’s environmental future depends on our actions today,” Castor said. “By moving away from styrofoam, we can create a more sustainable and resilient city—which is one of the core pillars of Transforming Tampa’s Tomorrow and our commitment to sustainability and resilience in everything we do. This is one small, yet important, step that we can take today to make a big impact on our future for generations to come.”

Single-use plastics and Styrofoam are not recyclable in the city of Tampa’s recycling program. These items pose threats to the environment including to marine life and other wildlife, waterways and waste management system.

The resolution is designed to support the reduction and elimination of single-use plastics in the city of Tampa and encourage Tampa businesses and residents to restrict the consumption and distribution of these items as well.

The resolution also calls for the development of a public outreach and education program that will encourage businesses to replace single-use plastics with more environmentally friendly alternatives.

In 2009, the city of Tampa became one of just a handful of cities nationwide to start a green business designation program, rewarding private businesses that have become or want to become more environmentally friendly.

Tampa follows in the footsteps of a number of Florida cities that have passed similar resolutions against the use of single-use plastic and Styrofoam on city property including Largo, St. Petersburg and Clearwater.

The resolution has no legal impact on businesses that use plastic straws, utensils and other disposable items.

For more information on the City of Tampa’s green initiatives, click here.

See related stories:

• Largo Commissioners Ban Single-Use Plastics On City Property
• St. Pete 1st West Coast City To Ban Plastic Straws, Styrofoam
• It's The Last Straw For Clearwater: Effort Targets Plastic Straws