Plastics Ordinance

Plastics
Capitola joins an estimated 100 cities throughout the country, including Berkeley and Oakland, in regulating polystyrene foam food service ware (Capitola City Ordinance 2009). The polystyrene manufacturing process is the fifth largest producer of hazardous waste in the United States, and the second worst environmental offender in California. Learn about how styrofoam and other plastics is harmful to people, wildlife and our environment.

Many Capitola businesses have already successfully eliminated most polystyrene and non-biodegradable packaging from their business operations. These leaders include Beach House, Dharma's Restaurant, Grinds Coffee/Tea, New Leaf Community Markets, Shadowbrook, Stockton Bridge Grill, and Zelda's.

Learn more about Capitola's ordinance to ban polystyrene foam and other plastic food service ware: 2009 Capitola City Ordinance. This revised ordinance was adopted by the City Council in April 2009. There are no longer any exceptions to using only biodegradable/compostable products. This means you are not allowed to use recyclable products as an alternative.

To file a complaint against a food service ware vendor, please read the Ordinance, and the Administrative Policy before submitting the Complaint Form to the Assistant to the City Manager.

To assist business owners, the Capitola Commission on the Environment has compiled a list of companies that manufacture or distribute environmentally-safe food service ware. The ordinance also allows restaurants and food vendors to charge customers a small "take out" fee to cover the cost of approved packaging materials. This list is not complete and will be updated from time to time. Please let us know of others you may find. Please note that the City of Capitola does not endorse any of these vendors or products