O.C. Cities Limit Use of Foam Plastic

In the wake of a growing ban on smoking on California beaches, Orange County cities are limiting the use of foam plastic cups and containers at municipal facilities and events to reduce litter, improve water quality and protect wildlife.

San Clemente, the first Orange County city to ban beach smoking, spearheaded the drive to eliminate plastic foam containers from all city facilities and city-sponsored events. The ban also applies to restaurants and vendors who lease city-owned facilities.

“Styrofoam pieces and cigarette butts are a very significant part of the litter that we find on the beach, and neither is biodegradable in the natural environment,” said San Clemente Councilwoman Stephanie Dorey. “Instead of decomposing and biodegrading, foam chokes the aquatic ecosystem and ultimately impacts humans who eat the food. This is a small step, but we think it can make a huge difference.”

Within the last two weeks, Laguna Hills, Huntington Beach and San Juan Capistrano have passed similar resolutions. Aliso Viejo, Laguna Beach, Irvine and Laguna Woods are considering resolutions. Laguna Beach might take the ban a step further by prohibiting the use of plastic foam products in restaurants.

The campaign to ban plastic foam products began in March with Dorey and San Juan Capistrano civil engineer Ziad Mazboudi lobbying city officials to pass resolutions within weeks of Earth Day, April 22.

Stephanie Barger of Earth Resources said such a ban is long overdue.

“Because of the tide and waves, Styrofoam just keeps breaking down into smaller and smaller pieces,” Barger said. “It can take two kids days to clean up a 5-foot-by-5-foot area because you can’t contain Styrofoam.”

The American Plastics Council did not return phone calls seeking comment.

Even before passing a resolution two weeks ago, San Juan Capistrano city officials had pressed an anti-plastic foam campaign at City Hall and sports parks, specifically encouraging the use of paper and recyclable products at soccer and baseball events.

“At City Hall, employees use their own mugs for coffee,” said Karen Crocker, San Juan Capistrano’s community services manager. We’re not a coastal city, but our drain system goes right into the ocean through our creek beds.”

But not everyone is on board with the new mandate in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. South County Senior Services, a nonprofit organization that runs nutrition and Meals on Wheels programs, has asked that the ban not apply to senior centers. Marilyn Ditty, executive director of South County Senior Services, said paper products are more expensive and more dangerous.

“There’s a reason Starbucks has a holder on their paper cups; they don’t hold the heat like the foam cups,” Ditty said. “We’re worried about increasing our exposure to liability. We’re searching for alternative products, but we haven’t found one yet.”

Aliso Viejo would have been the county’s first city to ban plastic foam, but an Internet hoax derailed plans in early March. A staff report cited environmental concerns over a proposed law banning plastic foam cups and containers, including a threat posed by dihydrogen monoxide -- commonly known as water.

“We’re so bummed [that] we’re not first,” said Aliso Viejo Councilman Karl P. Warkomsky. “We had to pull the ordinance back.... You don’t want to make two mistakes.”

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Special correspondent Sarah Tolkoff contributed to this report.