Strengthen Del Mar’s Plastic Reduction Ordinance

Victory! Del Mar strengthens its single-use plastic reduction ordinance

Del Mar has long been recognized as a regional leader in environmental stewardship and plastic reduction. The city was among the early adopters of single-use plastic reforms, banning single-use plastic bags in 2016 and phasing out polystyrene foodware in 2018. In 2025, Del Mar reaffirmed its environmental leadership by going even further.

Janis Jones (Rise Above Plastics Lead) and Mitch Silverstein (San Diego County Senior Policy Manager, now California Senior Policy Coordinator for the West Coast) were invited to conduct a presentation for Del Mar’s Sustainability Advisory Committee (SAC). Their presentation in August highlighted the harmful impacts of single-use plastics and showcased successful ordinances adopted by other cities in San Diego County.

Inspired by local model ordinances, especially Coronado’s, Sustainability Advisory Committee members and staff liaison Kaitlyn Elliot-Norgrove went to work drafting a strengthened single-use plastic reduction ordinance that was later advanced to the City Council for consideration. With a unanimous vote by City Council Members in December,  Del Mar joined Coronado in adopting a forward-thinking policy that moves beyond “recyclable plastic” and bioplastic foodware, instead requiring materials that are truly compostable and accepted by local waste haulers in curbside compost bins. 

Highlights include the following:

• Food providers are prohibited from dispensing prepared food to customers in expanded polystyrene or disposable food service ware made from single-use, non-compostable disposable materials.
• All City facilities, City-managed concessions, City-sponsored and co-sponsored events, and City permitted events are prohibited from using expanded polystyrene or disposable food service ware made from single-use, non-compostable disposable materials within the City.
• Regulated entities shall not distribute or sell ice chests or food and beverage coolers made, in whole or in part, from polystyrene. 
• All City facilities, City-managed concessions, City-sponsored and co-sponsored events, and City permitted events are prohibited from distributing single-use plastic beverage bottles.