Long Beach prohibits food vendors from using expanded polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) cups, plates, clamshells, and trays for prepared food. City facilities and city-permitted events must also use non-foam alternatives.
Building on the 2022 statewide framework in California Senate Bill 54 (Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act), Long Beach adopted local rules under its sustainability ordinances banning the use, sale, and distribution of expanded polystyrene foam food service ware by restaurants, food trucks, and grocery delis. Vendors must use compostable, recyclable, or reusable alternatives such as paper, fiber, aluminum, or PLA. The ban also applies to coolers and packing peanuts at city-permitted special events. SB 54 layers in producer responsibility requirements and a 2025 deadline phasing out polystyrene foam unless statewide recycling rates are met.
Distributing polystyrene foam food service ware can result in compliance assistance for first offenses and administrative citations of one hundred to five hundred dollars for repeat violations under LBMC enforcement provisions.
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