Food service and retail facilities will be expected to comply with regulations for single-use plastics and polystyrene in September after the City of Coronado adopted new rules earlier this year.
On Sept. 16, establishments that use polystyrene and single-use plastic foodware and utensils, beverage bottles, bags and balloons can face penalties from the city for separate violations. Fines start at $100 and can accrue to five times that amount for each additional violation in the same year.
During a February meeting, the City 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. They adopted the ordinance on Feb. 18.
A city report says the ordinance would become effective 30 days after its adoption, on March 20, 2025, and the city’s municipal code chapter says enforcement would begin 180 days thereafter, on Sept. 16.
New rules
The ordinance was adopted in an effort to protect marine wildlife and maintain clean beaches and public areas.
Correctional institutions, health care facilities, residential care facilities, and school cafeterias are excluded from ordinance requirements.
As of Sept. 16, Coronado businesses, upon a customer’s request, may only use and distribute foodware and cutlery that is reusable, recyclable, or compostable. According to the ordinance’s online chapter, this applies to onsite dining and to-go orders.
The chapter says businesses must allow customers to use their own reusable drinking cups, mugs, and bottles, unless the container is inappropriate for a specific beverage or appears to be unsanitary.
If necessary for a business to use wrappers for prepared foods like burritos or wraps, the chapter specifies it must be accepted in the city’s recyclable materials collection program.
Establishments must distribute recyclable paper carryout bags with – as required by state law for recyclable paper and reusable carryout bags – a charge of 10 cents for each bag provided, informing customers of the fee before finalizing a transaction.
The law contains an exception allowing food service businesses to use plastic bags for takeout or delivery orders containing items that are liquids susceptible to spilling, such as soups, it continues.
The chapter, however, does not prohibit customers from using bags of any type that they bring to an establishment.
In addition to carryout bags, foodware and eating instruments, the ordinance also prohibits the sale and distribution of rubber, latex, polychloroprene, nylon fabric, or mylar material balloons designed to be inflated or filled with air, gas, or fluid, anywhere within city limits. Additionally, it prohibits the sale or distribution of ice chests or food and beverage coolers made of polystyrene.
All of the provisions apply not just to private businesses, but to city agencies and events.
Exceptions in the chapter include emergency situations where use of plastics is required for public health, safety and welfare, as determined by the city manager.
Repercussions for non-compliance
The city’s chapter says establishments may obtain full or partial temporary waivers based on feasibility or hardship considerations.
The enforcement beginning Sept. 16 includes administrative citations, non-refundable deposits and loss of privilege to obtain special event permits at city facilities where a violation occurs.
Each regulation that is infringed upon will be treated as a separate violation.
The city’s chapter on enforcement lists fines of $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second within the same year and $500 for each additional violation in the same year.
To learn more about Coronado’s new plastics regulations, visit: https://www.projectcoronado.org/single-use-plastic-reduction-ordinance.
