Plastic-Free San Diego County

Surfrider San Diego is working with municipalities throughout San Diego County to pass comprehensive plastic reduction ordinances that protect our beaches, bays, and ocean.

The San Diego County Chapter has played a role in the passage of approximately 20 local plastic ordinances within San Diego County. City by city and at the county level, we work to pass the strongest policies we can to keep plastic pollution out of our watersheds, beaches, and ocean.

Every community in San Diego County is part of a coastal watershed. Plastic pollution from our streets, parks, and neighborhoods ultimately makes its way to the ocean, harming marine life and degrading the coastal environment we all cherish. Local ordinances work - and together, we can create a county-wide framework of policies that significantly reduces plastic pollution.

Current Advocacy Efforts

Surfrider San Diego is actively supporting plastic reduction ordinances in multiple jurisdictions:

City of Vista – Vista was the first non-coastal city to adopt a single-use plastic reduction ordinance, and the Environmental Commission is now developing recommendations to strengthen it with Surfrider’s support. Proposed updates include: a ban on plastic beverage bottles at City facilities and City-sponsored events; expanding the existing foam ban to prohibit retail sales of foam foodware, foam coolers, and foam packaging materials; expanding California’s bag law to apply to all retail stores and restaurants; and a ban on the sale of lighter-than-air balloons

City of Del Mar – Del Mar has long been a leader in single-use plastic reduction efforts. The City is now considering strengthening its ordinance further by requiring the use of compostable foodware. Surfrider activists presented recommendations to the City’s Sustainability Advisory Board in August 2025.

City of La Mesa - The chapter's first East County effort focuses on banning problematic single-use plastic foodware and polystyrene foam, expanding the state bag law to include retail and restaurants, and banning the release of helium balloons. Coastal cities like San Diego have taken action; it's time for East County cities to follow suit. Despite clear direction from the City Council for staff to draft an ordinance, efforts in La Mesa lost steam after former Councilmember Jack Shu’s term expired. Local volunteer advocacy is needed here. 

City of Chula Vista - Working alongside Chula Vista-based South Bay Sustainable Communities, we're advocating for a comprehensive ordinance in the County's second-largest city. The proposed policy includes prohibitions on polystyrene foam, single-use foodware accessories and condiments, plastic bags, helium balloons, and plastic water bottles. A draft ordinance has been approved by the City’s Sustainability Commission, but has been stalled for over a year at the City Attorney’s office. Our chapter is seeking local voices to engage the City Council and community. 

San Diego County (Unincorporated Areas) - With over 10 city ordinances already passed, addressing plastic pollution in unincorporated communities is a logical next step. The County Board of Supervisors has excellent models to draw from, including San Diego's polystyrene ban and Carlsbad's comprehensive suite of restrictions on single-use plastic foodware, accessories, and bags. Cities are taking action; it's time for the County to follow suit. Volunteers in each district, especially unincorporated areas, are needed to emphasize the importance of a county ordinance. As of now, no sitting Supervisor has championed this effort. 

What We're Fighting For

Effective plastic reduction ordinances can include:

• Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) bans - Preventing the distribution of expanded polystyrene foodware and packaging, which quickly breaks down into microplastics
• Single-use foodware restrictions - Eliminating unnecessary plastic utensils, straws, food containers, and condiment packets
• Expanded bag regulations - Going beyond state law to restrict plastic bags at all retail locations and restaurants
• Balloon restrictions - Banning the sale and release of helium balloons that threaten marine life

• Cigarette butt restrictions - Banning sale of filtered cigarettes altogether and/or restricting smoking in public areas to reduce pollution associated with cigarette butts, which are single-use plastic 

• Reusable alternatives - Requiring businesses to accept clean reusable cups and containers
• Water bottle restrictions - Reducing single-use plastic bottles at city facilities, events, and even businesses 

Recent Victories

In 2024, Coronado became the last coastal city in San Diego County to pass a plastics ordinance - and they made it count! Working with Emerald Keepers, we helped secure one of the county's most comprehensive policies, including restrictions on foodware, polystyrene foam, bags, balloons, and water bottles, plus requirements for restaurants to accept reusable cups.

In 2023, Oceanside passed a foam and bag ordinance after the chapter regrouped from a failed 2021 attempt. Expanding the scope to include all businesses secured buy-in from City Councilmembers who previously expressed concern that singling out restaurants was unfair and inconsistent. Thanks to the power of persistence and working collaboratively with city leaders and community stakeholders, the City Council unanimously passed a polystyrene foam and single-use plastic bag ban.

Balloon bans have also been a growing area of success, with Del Mar, Solana Beach, and Encinitas all passing ordinances to ban the sale and release of helium balloons. These three neighboring cities have helped reduce balloon releases across 12 miles of San Diego's coastline, serving as models for other communities to follow.

Get Involved

Join our email list and join our monthly meetings to stay informed about plastic reduction advocacy in your community and opportunities to make your voice heard at city council meetings and county hearings.

Together, we can build a San Diego County where plastic pollution is no longer the norm. Every city, every ordinance, every voice matters in the fight to protect our ocean, waves, and beaches.