Manhattan Beach passed its first polystyrene ordinance in 2013, which banned polystyrene food service ware. It was amended in 2014 to include ice coolers, straws, cup lids, and utensils made from polystyrene materials, and a prohibition on the sale of polystyrene food service materials in local retail stores.

The new amendment in 2018 removes exemptions for raw food, including polystyrene produce trays and egg cartons. It also prohibits polystyrene packing materials, including packing peanuts and noodles. The update in 2019 includes a prohibition on polystyrene meat trays.

Allowed:

- Paper/cardboard egg cartons

- Biodegradable packing materials

- Biodegradable produce and meat trays

Not allowed:

- Polystyrene or Styrofoam®️ egg cartons

- Polystyrene or Styrofoam®️  packing materials

- Polystyrene or Styrofoam®️  produce and meat trays

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):               

What products are regulated in Manhattan Beach?

Why is plastic a problem?                                                                                 

- Half of all sea turtles and nearly all seabirds have eaten plastic (Source, Source)

- Straws and utensils are in the top ten most commonly found pieces of trash during beach cleanups (Source)

- The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is double the size of Texas 

- By 2050, in a business a usual scenario, there is expected to be more plastic in the ocean than fish (by weight) 

- Utensils are one of the most harmful pieces of plastic pollution to marine life 

- Single use plastic is harmful to marine life, and it is our responsibility to keep the ocean as plastic-free as possible 

- Respecting our beaches and keeping our city clean is our civic duty 

- Protecting and preserving the environment is a part of Manhattan Beach’s core values 

Collectively, Americans use roughly 500 million plastic straws daily – enough to fill up 125 school buses each day and wrap around our entire planet 2.5 times. Because they are not recyclable, they mostly end up in landfills. Straws and utensils are some of the most harmful pieces of plastic pollution to marine life, according to the Ocean Conservancy. Sea animals, especially turtles, mistake them for food, and it can get stuck in their digestive tract. Turtles sometimes try to regurgitate the plastic, and it can get stuck in their nasal cavities. Two videos of researchers pulling out a straw and a plastic utensil from a sea turtle’s nose went viral, and kicked off the movement to ban single-use plastics. Straws and plastic utensils, even when they are properly disposed of in a trash bin, can end up in our oceans and pollute our beaches. They are one of the most common pieces of trash found during beach cleanups.

        Plastic fork in a sea turtle's nasal cavity.                Straws are frequently found at beach cleanups.

What is the penalty for non-compliance?

Your business will receive a written notice that it is not in compliance with Manhattan Beach law. If your business continues to remain out of compliance, it will be fined via administrative citations.

How do I report a violation?

To report a violation, call the Code Enforcement’s main number (310) 802-5518. This number has a voicemail available 24 hours 7 days a week.

City Hall allows walk-in service as well as appointments. Hours are as follows:

Virtual Services:

• 24 Hours, 7 Days a week

Appointment and Walk-In Services:

• Monday to Thursday from 8:00 PM to 5:00 PM
• Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Another option is to email your complaint to Code Enforcement.

What does “upon-request” mean and why is it needed if plastic straws and utensils are banned?

“Upon-request” simply means that customers will not receive disposable non-plastic straws and utensils unless they specifically ask for one. City Council included it in the ordinance to try and offset the cost of using non-plastic alternatives, while reducing the use of disposables and encouraging reusable utensils and straws.