February 21, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Los Angeles County Implements New Ordinance to Reduce Single-Use Plastic Waste

Restaurants and Food Facilities Required to Use Recyclable or Compostable Containers and Cutlery, with Fines for Noncompliance

Los Angeles County is implementing an ordinance starting today that requires all food-service containers, cups, dishes, and cutlery distributed by restaurants and food facilities in unincorporated areas to be recyclable or compostable. This will include cities like Marina Del Rey and comes after Culver City implemented a similar ordinance. 

The measure was approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in April 2022 to reduce plastic pollution, reduce landfill waste, and decrease reliance on harmful fossil fuels. The vote made Los Angeles County the largest municipality in the nation to take aggressive action against single-use plastics.

Full-service restaurants are required to use reusable food service ware for dine-in customers, and the sale or rental of single-use coolers, packaging, plastic peanuts, and pool toys (unless they are encased in durable material) is prohibited. Food facilities must begin complying with the ordinance today, while food trucks have an additional six months to comply. Operators who can demonstrate extreme financial hardship or an inability to serve food safely in alternative packaging may apply for waivers.

Enforcement will initially be complaint-based, with a focus on education and working with businesses to transition to sustainable takeout food ware. After the first year of implementation, the County will evaluate whether additional measures are needed to support businesses in reducing waste. Violations may be subject to fines of up to $100 per day, up to a maximum of $1,000 per year as a last resort.

According to studies, nearly 100 million plastic utensils are discarded across the United States each year, but only an estimated 15% of single-use plastic items in California are recycled. Most recycling facilities in greater L.A. do not accept food service ware of any kind because of their size and contamination, making it easier for producers to use fossil fuels to create “virgin plastic.” In contrast, New York City has spent more than $43 million in taxpayer funds each year to dispose of single-use plastics.

“California communities spend hundreds of millions of dollars each year on litter cleanup and waste prevention programs,” said Rita Kampalath, acting Chief Sustainability Officer for Los Angeles County. “But these strategies cannot keep pace with the rapid proliferation of single-use items. This ordinance will save taxpayer dollars and free up dwindling land space.”

More than one million residents live in unincorporated Los Angeles County, which represents two-thirds of the County’s land. If you would like more information on this county policy, go here to read the County’s FAQ.

in News
Related Posts

Film Review: The Monkey 

February 20, 2025

February 20, 2025

By Dolores Quintana Writer and director Osgood Perkins’ follow-up to his acclaimed 2024 film Longlegs is another animal entirely. The...

(Video) Crowns and Hops’ Teo Hunter Talks About What Makes Their Beer Special

February 20, 2025

February 20, 2025

At a pop-up tasting at Hi-Lo Liquor in Culver City, He talks about the beer called The Dopest Hazy IPA,...

(Video) Newly Opened Flour Pizzeria in Brentwood

February 20, 2025

February 20, 2025

The restaurant is reborn after they lost their Pacific Palisades shop in the fire. Flavorful Brooklyn-style pies and slices available...

Former NFL Player Chris Kluwe Arrested After Anti-MAGA Protest at City Council Meeting

February 19, 2025

February 19, 2025

UCLA Graduate, Vikings Punter Was Arrested After Pro-Trans/Anti-Trump Speech Chris Kluwe, a former professional NFL punter with the Vikings and...

Santa Monica Pier Hosts Locals’ Night with Black History Month Celebration, Drone Show, and Wildfire Relief

February 19, 2025

February 19, 2025

Enjoy live music, wine tastings, food pop-ups, and a special tribute to Black culture on Feb. 20. The Santa Monica...

New Report Ranks Culver City as a Top Place to Age, But Challenges Remain

February 18, 2025

February 18, 2025

Survey Highlights Strengths and Key Areas for Improvement in Senior Living A newly released report shows that 81% of surveyed...

Free Legal and Recovery Workshops for Los Angeles Residents Affected By Wildfires

February 18, 2025

February 18, 2025

Public Counsel Offers Expert Guidance on Rebuilding, Avoiding Scams, Trauma Public Counsel, a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to...

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s LA Home Burglarized on Valentine’s Day

February 18, 2025

February 18, 2025

Burglary Part of a Growing Trend of High-Profile Crimes in Los Angeles The Los Angeles home of actress Nicole Kidman...

UCLA Students Protest Suspension of Pro-Palestinian Groups On Campus

February 18, 2025

February 18, 2025

Demonstrators March After University Suspends Student Organizations Groups of students gathered on the UCLA campus Tuesday afternoon to protest the...

Metro LA to Begin Ticketing Bus Lane Violators with Camera Enforcement

February 17, 2025

February 17, 2025

Motorists Parked in Bus Lanes Will Face $293 Fines For Each Infraction Drivers who park in bus lanes will soon...

The Department of Public Health to Hold Virtual Town Hall on Post-Fire Air, Soil, and Water Safety

February 17, 2025

February 17, 2025

LA County Officials Will Discuss Environmental Testing, Recovery Efforts The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will hold a...

Los Angeles County Launches $32.2 Million Relief Grant for Wildfire Victims

February 17, 2025

February 17, 2025

Eligible Households Affected by the Palisades Fires Can Apply Soon The Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs...

Culver City Police Seek Suspect in Weekend Battery Incident

February 17, 2025

February 17, 2025

Man Accused of Assaulting a Victim is Still at Large Authorities are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a...

(Video) Enjoy Beach Proximity and Prime Amenities at Ocean View Hotel

February 17, 2025

February 17, 2025

For More Info, Go To Oceanviewsantamonica.com For More Info, Go To https://t.co/RmxV3mgYCs pic.twitter.com/30oSvl7Zvf — Westside Today (@WestsideLAToday) February 17, 2025

Deadly Stabbing Outside Popular Santa Monica Bar on Saturday

February 16, 2025

February 16, 2025

One Man Killed, Another Injured in Early Morning Attack The Bungalow, a popular restaurant and bar in Santa Monica, was...