April 22, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

California to Ban Wasteful Take-Out Food Packaging at State Parks and Beaches

Senator Ben Allen (D – Santa Monica) has introduced legislation to reduce waste generated by take-out food packaging at state parks, beaches, and facilities.  SB 1335 would require that all take-out food containers sold at these public places be recyclable or compostable in the jurisdiction in which it is provided by January 1, 2021.

“There is no reason for the state to continue selling take-out food packaging that clogs our landfills, and pollutes our parks and beaches,” said Allen.  “The solution to wasteful packaging is here, it’s affordable, and the public is ready for it.”

Take-out food packaging in California generates tons of non-recyclable and non-compostable waste every day, much of which finds its way into the natural environment.  Once there, plastic packaging breaks down into impossible-to-clean-up pieces and is ingested by fish and other marine life.  A recent study by UC Davis surveying fish and shellfish sold at local fish markets found that a quarter of fish and a third of shellfish intended for human consumption contained plastic debris.  Stemming the stream of take-out food packaging is a necessary step in beginning to address the global environmental health crisis of plastic pollution and assist California in meeting its goal of diverting 75% of waste from landfills by 2020.

“State parks, beaches, and facilities are the natural place to begin this transition at the state level,” said Kelly McBee, Policy Analyst at Californians Against Waste. “This policy provides an opportunity for the state to lead by example and exemplify the feasibility of sustainable take-out food packaging policies.”

California has the opportunity to take a leadership role on this issue in strong contrast to the regressive policies of the Trump administration, which rescinded an Obama-era policy to reduce the use of disposable water bottles in National Parks.

“Many communities across California have been working to reduce the pollution from single-use take-out food packaging since the 1980s. Recent actions at the national level, our unsustainable reliance of fossil fuels, and the plastic pollution crisis tell us that we can no longer afford to wait on this issue. It’s time for state government to ‘walk the walk’ on sustainability, and show that we don’t have to permanently harm our environment every time we get food to-go,” added Allen.

<>Related Posts

Building Permit Fees to be Waived for Palisades Fire Victims, Mayor Announces

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

The waived fees and new initiatives build on emergency orders designed to unlock innovation and prioritize getting residents back home...

Revote Planned for Malibu School District Split

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Committee’s Initial Rejection of Malibu’s Petition Faces Procedural Challenge A Los Angeles County committee narrowly voted to reject a proposal...

Lawsuits Allege Insurance Giants Conspired to Undercut California Fire Victims

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Two Lawsuits Accuse Top Carriers of Price-Fixing and Violating Antitrust Laws Attorneys representing homeowners impacted by California’s January wildfires have...

Cali Camp Welcomes Los Angeles Campers

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

By Susan Payne Roam streams, meadows and oak trees in the heart of rock-lined Topanga Canyon this summer at Cali...

Mayor Karen Bass’ Budget Plan Proposes 1,647 Layoffs Amid $300M Liability Surge

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Civilian LAPD Staff, Transportation, and Sanitation Departments Among Hardest Hit Mayor Karen Bass’ proposed city budget for the upcoming fiscal...

Santa Monica PD Makes Arrest in Ocean Front Walk Stabbing; Second Suspect Sought

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Late-Night Stabbing in Santa Monica Prompts Manhunt After a shocking incident of violence in Santa Monica, a man has been...

City of Malibu Considers Sewer Upgrades in Fire-Prone Beach Zones

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Findings from the Feasibility Study to Be Revealed at Public Meeting The City of Malibu is evaluating more resilient wastewater...

Free Blood Testing For Lead Available for Westside Residents After Wildfires

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

LA County Public Health Urges Residents Near Burn Areas to Get Tested The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health...

(Video) Palisades Residents Reunite Months After Wildfires at ‘Rooted in Resilience’ Event

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Three Months After the Devastating Wildfires, Palisadians Reconnected at Clover Park for a Day of Music, Games, Food and More...

Siblings Stabbed on Santa Monica Beach

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

The stabbing comes amid heightened concerns over nighttime safety at Santa Monica State Beach A brother and sister were hospitalized...

Registration is Open for Harvard-Westlake Summer Programs

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

By Susan Payne Summer programs at Harvard-Westlake are open for registration.  Participants can experience renowned programs in academics, visual arts,...

Los Angeles City Attorney Sues Over Illegal Rentals, Wildfire Price Gouging

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

City Attorney Seeks Permanent Ban and Millions in Penalties for Operators City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto has filed a civil...

Venice Community Housing and Community Corp. of Santa Monica Partner on 20th Street Apartments

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

Construction Begins on Eco-Friendly Housing Development in Santa Monica Construction is officially underway on the 20th Street Apartments, a new...

Rents Stay Stable, but Economic Shifts Threaten the Balance

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

Tariffs and Tight Supply Could End Flat Rent Streak After more than a year of minimal fluctuation, asking rents, or...

Pali High Students to Resume In-Person Classes at New Downtown Santa Monica Campus

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

Santa Monica Welcomes Students With Transportation Help, Safety Measures Santa Monica is preparing to welcome Palisades Charter High School students...