Local:

_{Polystyrene foam pollution on Hollywood Beach in Broward County, FL.}

Local Strategy- Pass a plastics ordinance or administrative policy in your city or county

YOU can help pass a law in your local municipality.

There are some preemptions in Florida, which means that your municipality is banned from banning certain plastic/foam items (containers, cups, polystyrene foam, bags). But, there are 2 items that your municipality can completely ban (prohibit from being sold, distributed) because they are not preempted. Utensils and straws are not preempted. You can ban the other items (containers, cups, polystyrene foam, bags) on public property only (city buildings, city parks and beach, city events, etc). Your city/county can also pass an administrative policy regarding purchasing, events, vendors, concessionaires, and special permits. Read more on preemptions here.

Decide on your goal, identify your decision maker (elected officials), and plan how you will influence them. Some municipalities are easier than others, depending on how your elected officials already feel about the issue. Sometimes, it can be as easy as emailing/calling your mayor and/or city commissioner and asking. You can find your city and county commissioners through a simple Google search. You can also find your city website here.

For more on planning your campaign strategy, go here. View sample Florida legislation here. Ordinances can be enacted with a period of education before enforcement. For example, one year of education before citations/fines are given.

Options! In your city/county, you can:

• Pass an ordinance prohibiting certain single-use plastic foodware on municipal property. The preemptions still allow cities/counties to ban items on their own property. Your city can specify the items they want to prohibit in their ordinance. For example, you can pass an ordinance prohibiting single use expanded polystyrene foam food containers and cups on city/county property, in city/county facilities, and with city/county contracts/events. The Village of Miami Shores chose to pass an ordinance prohibiting single-use plastic bottled water on city property, city facilities, and city contracts/events. Your city/county can also pass an administrative policy regarding purchasing, events, vendors, concessionaires, and special permits.
• Pass a plastic straw ordinance (A plastic straw shall not be used, sold, or distributed in any commercial establishment, on city property, or by any special even permittee, with some exceptions). Your city may wish to consider a “Straws by Request Only” ordinance. This means that customers only get a straw if they ask for one, which is a cost saving for restaurants and also takes into account persons with disabilities.
• Pass an ordinance completely banning single-use plastic utensils (forks, knives, spoons, stirrers). This means that stores would not be allowed to sell them, and restaurants would not be allowed to provide them. Your city can completely ban plastic utensils because there is no preemption concerning plastic utensils.
• Pass an “opt-in” or “by request only” law for delivery/take out utensils. This would mean that a customer would have to specifically opt-in or request plastic utensils instead of automatically receiving them with every food order. This SAVES businesses money while also reducing plastic waste. Many delivery and take-out orders are eaten in the home, where customers already have utensils. Resources here: https://www.beyondplastics.org/campaign-toolkits/skip-the-stuff See the City of Gainesville “By Request Only” ordinance. In 2024, Coconut Creek also passed a “by request only” for plastic food accessories.
• Prohibit specific single-use plastics/foam in special event permits: Hollywood’s Special Events Permit Application has this language: “The City’s plastic and Styrofoam ordinance passed in 2020, §97.08-97.12, prohibits the use of polystyrene (“Styrofoam”), single-use plastic and bioplastic food service products. This includes eating and serving utensils, tableware, containers, lids, plates, bowls, cups, straws, wrappings, bottles, bags or other packaging and all similar articles used for transporting or consuming prepared food or beverages • Reusable, compostable, or biodegradable materials may be used as alternatives such as paper, bamboo, and other plant-based fiber items • A responsible products catalogue can be provided to assist in your sourcing of these items.” You could also include this in your city’s pavilion rental applications/contracts.

• Reduce unnecessary extras: Some cities are simply passing laws that these extra items can’t be given unless the customer requests them (“by request only” or “opt in” policy). This also doesn’t cost business owners anything extra (these laws save money and reduce waste). These policies are sometimes called “Skip the Stuff” policies. With a Skip the Stuff law such as New York City’s, customers only get the items they need/request.

Get started:

Find out who your mayor and city council members are. Contact them.

Are the majority of your city council members supportive of an ordinance? Ask them to add this to an upcoming city meeting agenda.

Find out if your city has a Sustainability Advisory Committee or Sustainability Coordinator. Contact them and discuss your suggestions. Perhaps you can speak at an upcoming meeting.

If you do not have a majority of council members on your side, you will need to build community support and organize a coalition to put pressure on your elected officials.

Your City/County’s staff can also pass an administrative policy regarding purchasing, events, vendors, concessionaires, and special permits.

Toolkits:

Additional help:

Youth activists:

Your school/school system might sign a multi-year contract for products. If so, you can work on asking them to commit to green choices for their next contract.

Climate Action Plans

Is your city or county revising their Climate Action Plan? Ask them to include reduction of plastic waste as a goal in the Climate Action Plan.

Broward County has just included reduction of single-use plastics as part of their Climate Action Plan: https://www.broward.org/Climate/Documents/2020CCAP_draft.pdf
You will see that item on page 13, item number 17: “Set plastic waste reduction goal. Set a plastic waste reduction goal and set a policy to reduce single-use plastics and polystyrene foam, on County property, in County contracts and at County events. Advocate permitting of local regulation of single-use plastics and polystyrene foam.”

What is Zero Waste?

Ask your city/county to move towards Zero Waste. Read more information about Zero Waste cities here.

Read GAIA’s Zero Waste Master Plan and their recommended steps for cities.

The City of Gainesville has a Zero Waste Committee! Visit its page here.

Reduce unwanted waste: Customers need to exercise their right to #SkipTheStuff. Restaurants should provide accessories for takeout or delivery only if the customer requests them. It’s a simple solution that will save restaurants money and reduce waste.

Pass a resolution on statewide plastics policy!

Want to help with state strategy? Ask your city commission to pass a resolution supporting statewide plastics legislation and/or home rule (removal of preemptions) on plastics regulation. Local resolutions are a clear expression of the opinions of coastal communities, including business leaders in those communities and local elected officials. They send a message up the political chain, and can be influential in helping state-level elected officials and even Members of Congress better understand what their constituents want. Resolutions matter, and you can ask your city to pass a resolution in support of statewide plastics legislation and/or support of home rule.

ALSO ASK YOUR CITY/COUNTY TO ADD REMOVAL OF PLASTICS PREEMPTIONS ON THEIR LIST OF LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES.

Many municipalities are passing laws to regulate single-use plastics

Many cities, states, and entire nations have passed legislation to eliminate certain single-use plastics. More than 50 municipalities in Florida have passed some type of plastic/foam ordinances/policies. Cities and counties are passing bans, and also passing ordinances restricting single-use plastic and polystyrene foam in city events, meetings, parks, beaches, and pavilion rentals. Ordinances can be enacted with a long period of education before an enforcement date. These local actions send a message to Tallahassee that residents of Florida care about this issue.

Municipalities in Florida That Have Passed Plastic and/or EPS Foam Ordinances

Note: A few of these were repealed due to the state legislature’s preemption on bags, foam, and plastic containers.

Alachua County	Straw ban. Had to be repealed: ban on polystyrene, Styrofoam, containers and single-use plastic bags
Atlantic Beach	Ordinance prohibiting the sale and distribution of polystyrene EPS on city property and the beach
Bal Harbour	Ordinance: ban the use and distribution of most single-use plastics, including straws, utensils, and shopping bags. The ordinance prohibits the use or distribution of single-use plastics in commercial establishments.
Bay Harbour Islands	Ordinance- Ban on plastic straws/stirrers.
Boca Raton	Ordinance to ban polystyrene foam foodware on city property and city events. The ordinance also prohibits confetti and balloons on outdoor city property. Temporary vendors are prohibited from selling or distributing food and drinks packaged in polystyrene foam products on city property.
Boynton Beach	Ordinance to prohibit polystyrene foam, balloons, and confetti on all city property, which includes parks and the beach.
Broward County	Resolution to amend the existing administrative code to restrict the distribution, sale, and use of expanded polystyrene (foam) items, and single-use plastic straws and stirrers on County properties – including parks, airport terminals, and cruise ship terminals. The amendment also includes a ban on the use and release of Chinese lanterns, and confetti on County property.
Coconut Creek	Ordinance to prohibit plastic straws and stirrers, prohibit foam containers on city property, require plastic food accessories by request only, and prohibit the intentional release outdoors of balloons, glitter, and plastic confetti. Passed in 2024.
Coral Gables	Had to be repealed: ban on bags and foam.
Dania Beach	Straw ban. Ordinance: ban on polystyrene containers, like coffee cups and coolers, from all city events
Deerfield Beach	Straw ban. 2 resolutions encouraging local retail stores, restaurant, and all city businesses to reduce the use of polystyrene products and also encourage city staff to negotiate “no polystyrene clauses” into their contracts with vendors.
Delray Beach	Prohibiting the use of single-use polystyrene foam food-service products by city vendors, as well as the use of these plastic products on city property, straw ban
Fort Lauderdale	Plastic straw ban. Ordinance prohibiting the use of single-use polystyrene foam food-service products by city vendors, as well as the use of these plastic products on city property. The ordinance prohibits the use of single-use polystyrene foam cups and food containers in places like city parks, city facilities and the beach.
Fort Myers Beach	Straw ban. Skip the Stuff ordinance, ban on polystyrene foam on City property, balloon releases, glitter, plastic straws/stirrers
Gainesville	Straw ban. Skip the Stuff ordinance. Ordinance also includes ban on polystyrene foam on city property, glitter, and balloon releases. Repealed: bag ban.
Hallandale Beach	Straw ban. Ordinance: the prohibition of expanded polystyrene food service articles and single-use carryout plastic bags on public beaches; the prohibition of distributing expanded polystyrene food service articles and/or single-use carryout plastic bags from beachside establishments
Hollywood	Ordinance passed in 1974- no plastic or foam east of intracoastal (grandfathered in). Additional Ordinance- prohibiting the use of polystyrene and single-use plastic food-service products by city vendors, as well as the use of these plastic products on city property. The ordinance prohibits the use of single-use plastic products, such as water bottles, utensils, cups and plates, and expanded polystyrene foam coolers in places like city parks, city facilities and the beach. Included in this ordinance is a ban on intentional balloon releases.
Key Biscayne	Plastic straw ban.
Key West	Plastic straw ban. Foam on city property.
Largo	Ban on City property: foam products (cups, plates, bowls, clamshells, to-go boxes, etc) ·Plastic straws and stirrers (including the use of bio-plastic straws) ·Plastic utensils ·Plastic plates, cups, and bowls
Lauderdale by the Sea	Straw ban.
Lauderhill	Ordinance to prohibit single-use plastic/foam foodware on city property and also banned the intentional release of balloons.
Marco Island	Straw ban.
Miami Beach	City-wide ban on foam. Ordinance banning single-use plastic beverage straws, stirrers and single-use plastic bags on the city’s beaches, streets, and prohibiting plastic bags from being distributed by sidewalk cafes, marinas and other public places. The City of Miami Beach Commission also passed an ordinance to prohibit harmful plastic and metallized decorations – including glitter, confetti, artificial flower petals, sequins, and more – from their beaches, parks, and marinas.
Miami Dade County	The Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners voted in favor of a resolution sponsored by Commissioner Eileen Higgins to eliminate single-use plastics and expanded polystyrene foam at Miami-Dade County facilities like Miami International airport, PortMiami and County offices.
Miami Dade County Parks and Beaches	No foam on public parks beaches Miami Dade County
Miami Shores	No single-use plastic water bottles city property.
North Bay Village	2019 ordinance- ban on single-use plastic bags, utensils, and straws
Oakland Park	Straw ban.
Orange County	No EPS foam in any new county contracts, including convention center.
Orlando	Ordinance prohibits the distribution of single-use plastic bags, straws, and utensils at city-owned parks and venues. The law also bans polystyrene, more commonly known as Styrofoam, products like cups and coolers.
Ormond Beach	Straw ban.
Palm Beach	2019: ordinance banning plastic bags.
Palm Beach Gardens	Resolution prohibiting the use of polystyrene products on public property. Resolution to prohibit balloons, confetti, and glitter on public property.
Palmetto Bay	Straw ban. 2016- EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE FOOD SERVICE ARTICLES” , PROHIBITIONS OF SALE OR USE BY VILLAGE CONTRACTORS.
Pinecrest	straw ban. 2019- polystyrene foam ban.
Plantation	Administrative Policy to prohibit expanded polystyrene foam food service items on City property and in City facilities. This would apply to vendors, contracts, event permits, and concessionaires.
Pompano Beach	Straw ban.
Sanibel	Straw ban.
Sarasota	City Ordinance Banning Plastic Straws and Polystyrene
Seminole County	Banned single-use products and plastic bags from being sold or disbursed on county properties by either staff or contracted vendors to encourage the use of biodegradable or reusable containers. The ban includes plastic materials — such as utensils, cups, coffee stirrers, straws and trays
St Augustine	Repealed: Bag ban.
St Pete	Straw ban city-wide. Foam ban public property.
Stuart	Straw ban (repealed). Ordinance: single use plastic and foam materials at all city-owned parks, facilities, venues and permitted events,
Sunny Isles Beach	Straw ban. Ordinance to ban single-use polystyrene foam foodware and cups on city property
Surfside	Straw ban. Repealed in 2019: ban of most single-use plastics, plastic bags, utensils, and dinnerware
Tallahassee	Policy restricts the utilization of single-use plastics for all food and beverage service at City events and on City property.
Tampa	Ban on distributing foam cups, plates and other items on public property.
West Palm Beach	Straw ban.
Wilton Manors	Straw ban.
Winter Park	Pilot program: bans at city properties specific items, from plastic straws, stirrers and bags, to go foam containers

HOME RULE VIDEO (SPANISH): 

¿Quieres una forma divertida de comunicar los conceptos básicos del gobierno de la ciudad? En La Liga ha producido esta caricatura de 13 minutos, perfecta para el público juvenil y más allá. Cubre una variedad de temas que incluyen cartas de la ciudad, formas de gobierno, servicios municipales, impuestos a la propiedad y Autonomía.

2025 FL state bill HB 1609 (SB 1822):

The 2025 Legislative Session has ended. During this session, a harmful preemption bill SB 1822 was filed again (Senator Martin ). This bill would have taken us in the wrong direction in the fight against plastic pollution. We killed this disastrous preemption bill last year, and we killed it again this year.

The harmful preemption expansion language jumped from SB 1822 to HB 1609. Senator Martin tried to amend HB 1609 (Rep Weinberger’s incineration bill) with the harmful container preemption expansion from SB 1822.

The House refused to concur with the senate’s amendment to HB 1609. The amendment would have prohibited cities and counties from being able to regulate glass bottles and containers in their parks, playgrounds, and public pools. In addition, this bill would have prohibited cities and counties from being able to reduce plastic and foam on their own public properties. The bill would have also eliminated current plastic pollution reduction policies, which would be devastating for local governments that have worked so hard to reduce plastic pollution.

May 3, 2025 UPDATE: Rep Weinberger and the Florida House refused to concur with the Senate’s harmful preemption expansion amendment. THANK YOU! We hope that this means that we are safe for another year from more preemption.

Previous Rulemaking from the Florida Department of Agriculture that unfortunately was not ratified by the legislature

Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has begun rulemaking to phase out the use of polystyrene products in Florida grocery stores, markets, convenience stores, and other regulated businesses. 

“Polystyrene may be convenient, but there is a hidden danger to public health from these disposable consumer products. Chemicals in polystyrene are not only linked to human and animal health concerns, but because these petroleum-based products take at least 500 years to decompose, their negative effects continue long after they’re thrown away,” said Commissioner Fried. “As Florida’s consumer protection and food safety agency, we have an opportunity to help consumers and companies make a positive change. That’s why I’m excited to announce that we have started the rulemaking process to phase out the use of polystyrene food packaging at the 40,000 grocery stores, markets, and convenience stores that we regulate in Florida. By increasing demand for cost-effective alternative products, this is a huge opportunity to create Florida jobs, at Florida businesses, using Florida-grown crops to create next-generation products that are made in Florida. This vision to phase out polystyrene until reaching zero within this decade is a monumental change for consumers, health, and the environment, joining a third of U.S. states in taking action on this issue.” Read more here.

Dec 10– Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried signed off on her proposed new rules for elimination of polystyrene packaging in stores and businesses her department regulates and is sending those rules to the Legislature, seeking ratification.

Fried announced that she signed off on the rules to eliminate polystyrene packaging, after several months of public hearings and rule-making by her department. Read more here.

What is the current status? The Florida State Legislature would’ve had to ratify the rule, and unfortunately, the were unwilling to do that.