02 • 18 • 2025
Pass the Coronado Plastics Reduction
Victory! Coronado was the last coastal city in San Diego County to take action against plastic pollution. But when they finally did something, they made it count!
Surfrider San Diego supported Coronado-based nonprofit Emerald Keepers in a long-term effort to convince the city - surrounded by water on all sides - to adopt a compelling plastics ordinance. In 2024, the tides began to turn when then-Councilmember John Duncan garnered the support of his colleagues to have staff research and eventually draft an ordinance, based on council direction. Surfrider activists advocated for the most comprehensive ordinance possible during the six months that ensued, up until the final hour when the City Council accepted several of our suggestions to close loopholes and strengthen the final ordinance.
Coronado now has one of the most comprehensive plastic policies in San Diego County, including restrictions on single-use plastic foodware, polystyrene foam, bags, balloons, and even water bottles in certain instances. It also requires restaurants to accept clean reusable cups for beverages, inching us closer to our ultimate goal of refill and reuse.
Surfrider would like to thank Emerald Keepers - and especially their founder, Amy Steward, who drove this effort and was recently elected to the City Council - for their tenacious efforts to build community support and political will to get an ordinance introduced. We also want to recognize Mayor John Duncan for championing the effort on the City Council. Way to go, Coronado!