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Plastic trash on the beach.

PLASTIC FREE VENTURA COUNTY

Our goal is to bring plastic reduction ordinances to each jurisdiction in Ventura County. Stopping pollution at its source is the key to protecting our environment.

It's Not Just About Straws.

 

Surfrider Ventura’s “Plastic Free Ventura County” campaign launched on Earth Day in 2018 as a response to the amount of single-use plastic litter that volunteers are collecting at local beach cleanups. Some of the common items collected include straws, expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam (TM “Styrofoam”), plastic and bioplastic cups and utensils. Scientists estimate that by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by volume – unless we act now!

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20220917 Surfrider Coastal Cleanup Day-142

EPS/Single-Use Victories

  • The City of Ventura 
  • The City of Thousand Oaks
  • The City of Ojai
  • City of Camarillo

Plastics and bioplastics are not marine biodegradable, but instead, photodegrades into smaller pieces of plastic causing pollution that is virtually impossible to remediate. When plastic enters our waterways, it adsorbs toxic chemicals such as DDT, PCBs, PAHs, and flame retardants that can be found in our waterways. For more information on the Rise Against Plastics (RAP) campaign, click here.

To replace EPS foam and disposable plastic, we encourage restaurants and consumers to choose reusable options whenever possible. AB 619, which passed into statewide law in 2019, in part clarifies existing health code laws, ensuring that the public can bring reusable containers to restaurants for take-out.

Let’s encourage the City Councils of Oxnard and Port Hueneme to stand up to plastic pollution and find ways to use less plastic.

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How can you help?

Our campaign is seeking volunteers to help with:

1.  Identifying restaurants, food trucks, or any other type of food establishments in Oxnard and/or Port Hueneme that do not use polystyrene or only provide straws or single use plastic upon request and email julimarciel@gmail.com with the subject line: Oxnard and/or Port Hueneme Restaurant Information. Include the names of those establishments so that we can present this information to the Oxnard or Port Hueneme City Council.  

2. Participate in your own solo cleanups at the beach, parks, and neighborhoods in Oxnard and/or Port Hueneme. Check out our Blog Post for more information on Solo Clean Ups.

3.  The items we are seeking to ban are listed at the bottom of the page.  When you see this type of litter in Oxnard and/or Port Hueneme (e.g., beach, parks, parking lots, sidewalks, gutters, etc.), please photograph the litter.  If possible, please collect and dispose of the litter as well. Email photographs to julimarciel@gmail.com with the subject line: Oxnard and/or Port Hueneme and identify the location where the litter was found 

4. You can also post a photo with location to your Instagram (preferred) or Facebook feed with the hashtag #PlasticFreeOxnard #PlasticFreePortHueneme and tag @surfridervc (Instagram) or @surfriderventura (Facebook). We would especially love to see your photos on social media to help spread the word to friends and family. Here’s an example of how to keep it positive:

“I love our beaches but hate to see plastic litter around town. It’s not only an eyesore, it also impacts our ocean and wildlife that we love. Let’s encourage our City Council to stand up to plastic pollution and find ways to use less plastic. #plasticfreeVenturaCounty @Surfridervc”

5. There are numerous companies that manufacture products that degrade naturally and are recyclable that can replace the items we are seeking to ban.  Here is link to the City of Malibu’s plastic free guidelines and examples of compliant foodware.  Manhattan Beach has also began to ban plastics and has provided their guidelines.

 

Oxnard Ordinance and Summary

For a summary of the city of Oxnard’s ordinance banning expanded polystyrene, including what is prohibited and how it is enforced, click here. To view Ordinance No. 3022, click here.

What we are seeking to ban:

  • Expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam to-go containers, plates & cups at restaurants
  • Any disposable items made from rigid #6 polystyrene such as cups and lids at restaurants
  • EPS foam to-go containers, plates & cups at retail stores
  • EPS foam coolers at retail stores
  • Plastic and bioplastic straws
  • Plastic and bioplastic cups
  • Plastic and bioplastic plates
  • Plastic and bioplastic stirrers
  • Plastic and bioplastic lid plugs (e.g., coffee)
  • Plastic and bioplastic utensils
  • Plastic and bioplastic condiment/salsa cups

Latest news on the negative impact of EPS and Plastics on our environment and us.

 

Latest steps being taken to reduce or ban EPS and Plastics impact