The Coronado City Council has given tentative approval to a new ordinance that would crack down on single-use plastic distribution by local restaurants and merchants.
The ordinance, which was introduced at the City Council meeting on Feb. 4, includes amendments to the Municipal Code governing foam foodware and foam cooler distribution. It will be rewritten for a vote at the next regular meeting. If the measure passes, single-use plastic regulations will become effective 30 days later.
In April 2024, the council requested to explore options for regulating single-use plastics in the city and staff began reviewing other local ordinances in the region related to single-use plastics.
California also toughened its plastic bag ban with a new law and in January of 2026, customers at most grocery stores will either have to bring their own reusable bags, buy a 10 cent paper bag or hand carry their items.
“A simple change like that, a simple swap (from polystyrene to cardboard), can be a huge difference for wildlife and for our oceans,” Council member Amy Steward said.
The council voted on two different items in the ordinance separately – to prohibit the sale of foam foodware in local restaurants, and to prohibit the distribution and retail sale of foam coolers.
The council decided unanimously to prohibit the distribution of foam foodware, but Council member Carrie Anne Downey voted no on the ban for foam coolers.
Downey said that she wants the foam coolers to be available for people who visit Coronado and don’t have a way of transporting their cold drinks and items.
“I don’t think the vast majority leave them or throw them in the ocean,” she explained.
Council member Amy Steward countered that establishments could sell cardboard coolers instead of foam coolers for those who need an ice chest on hand, and it would be more environmentally friendly.
Steward also suggested a change to one of the items in the ordinance, detailing that retail establishments and food service providers may distribute only recyclable paper carryout bags, not reusable carryout bags, for the purpose of carrying away goods, merchandise or other items.
Individuals may bring in their own reusable carryout bags, and establishments may still sell reusable carryout bags, but they cannot provide these bags at checkout.
A carryout bag, as defined by the city, is one provided by the store – not a bag that is sold by the store.
If adopted in the follow-up vote, the single-use ordinance would:
- Prohibit use and distribution of single-use plastic carryout bags at retail and food service establishments, city facilities and city-affiliated events.
- Prohibit use and distribution of polystyrene foam containers in food service establishments, city facilities and city-affiliated events.
- Prohibit use and distribution of single-use plastic foodware and accessories in food service establishments, and at city facilities and city-affiliated events. Recyclable or compostable utensils may be provided to the customer only upon request at food service establishments.
- Allow customers to bring their own reusable cups for use at any food service establishment.
- Prohibit sale, distribution and intentional release of lighter-than-air balloons.
- Prohibit use and distribution of single-use plastic beverage bottles at city facilities and city-affiliated events, and prohibit use of city funds to purchase single-use plastic beverage bottles.
The ordinance will allow an implementational period for businesses to use up existing inventory, if appropriate. It will also include exemptions for emergencies and hardships.
Once the second reading of the ordinance is brought to the city and passed, the ordinance would be effective 30 days after adoption and enforceable 180 days after effective.
