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!
Victories: EPS and/or Single Use Bans in Ventura County
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.
There are over 140 jurisdictions in California that have local legislation aimed at reducing plastic litter and Port Hueneme should be next! A copy of our proposed ordinance for Port Hueneme will be made available on this website later in the year. This photo of the drain at the end of Figueroa St. in Ventura is located on the beach and drains directly into the ocean and exemplifies the need to act now!
HOW CAN YOU HELP? Our campaign is seeking volunteers to help with:
1. Identify restaurants, food trucks, or any other type of food establishments in Port Hueneme that do not use polystyrene or only provide straws or single use plastic upon request and email julimarciel@gmail.
2. Until we can all meet up again in a group, participate in your own solo cleanups at the beach, parks, and neighborhoods in Port Hueneme. Check out our Blog Post for more information on Solo Clean Ups.
- Follow Surfrider’s Solo Beach Cleanup Guidelines, use the Ocean Conservancy’s free Clean Swell App (record your data under the Group Name “Surfrider Ventura”), and don’t forget to send us your photos.
3. The items we are seeking to ban are listed below. When you see this type of litter in 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 email@example.com with the subject line:Port Hueneme and identify the location where the litter was found (see example photo below).
- 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
4. You can also post a photo with location to your Instagram (preferred) or Facebook feed with the hashtag #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 Port Hueneme 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 Port Hueneme City Council to stand up to plastic pollution and find ways to use less plastic. #plasticfreePortHueneme @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.
6. Latest news on the negative impact of EPS and Plastics on our environment and us.
- Microplastics in our Air “Spiral the Globe” in a Cycle of Pollution
- California First to Tackle Microplastics in Drinking Water
- Microplastics in Farm Soil: a growing concern
- The plastics you don’t see might kill you
- Malaysia Sends Back Trash
- Microplastics in human waste
- Plastic Garfield Phones on Beaches
- Plastic in Baby Fish
7. Latest steps being taken to reduce or ban EPS and Plastics impact
- Make Your Home Ocean Friendly
- Free Yourself From Single-Use Plastics in July
- Reducing Plastic Pollution May be on Caliornia’s Ballot this Novemeber
- Ventura to Ban Styrofoam Cups and Containers; The Church of Scientology Apologies for Balloon Release
- Plastic Banks to Reduce Waste
- European Parliament’s Ban on Single Use Plastics
- Plastics from Squids
- Trader Joe’s Plastic
- EU Single Use Plastic Ban
- Reusable To-Go Wear Startup
Please take our eating out survey to help us gather information on Port Hueneme and Oxnard Restaurant Practices Survey and/or Resident’s Dining Habits:
To volunteer for the Plastic Free Ventura County campaign please email: firstname.lastname@example.org