Sustainability Programs

On January 17, 2023, the Oxnard City Council adopted Ordinance No. 3022 prohibiting the use, manufacturing, distribution, and sale of designated expanded polystyrene (EPS) products.

 

WHAT’S PROHIBITED BY THE ORDINANCE

Designated EPS products prohibited under this ordinance include single-use, disposable foodware products made in whole or in part from EPS used for serving, transporting, or consuming prepared food, including but not limited to plates, bowls, trays, wrappers or wrapping, platters, cartons, hinged food containers, condiment containers, cups or drinkware, or any other container in or on which prepared foods are placed or packaged for consumption. Prohibited EPS products also include any item such as a non-encased cooler or ice chest, cup, bowl, plate, hinged food container (clamshell), shipping box, packing material, or any other item made from expanded polystyrene.

ORDINANCE IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE

The City’s goal in adopting this ordinance is to gain compliance.  No citations will be issued from now through August 31, 2023, followed by a phase-in period where compliance options will be available in lieu of fines.

Beginning on  September 1, 2023 the City will begin issuing citations for failure to utilize compliant  materials in accordance with the ordinance. From September 1, 2023 until March 1, 2024, in lieu of paying a fine, violators may submit proof of purchase of any non-EPS containing foodware or product in any amount totaling or exceeding the amount of the fine in order to comply with the ordinance. Proof of purchase of EPS compliant materials must be submitted to Oxnard Code Compliance within fourteen (14) days of the issued civil citation. Failure to provide proof of purchase will result in the citation being processed and all fees and fines owed.

RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES

To help your business comply, ask your current supplier about alternatives to EPS products. City staff have conducted research on the potential cost impact to food providers. This research indicated that on average, compliant materials cost $0.02 more per unit/disposable foodware. Please see the following price comparison sheet below to help determine which alternative options work best for you.

For more information, please contact us via email at [email protected] or call the Long Range Planning & Sustainability Division at (805) 385-7858.

Ormond Beach is a 1,500-acre area composed of agriculture, industry, and wetlands. A two-mile-long beach extends from Port Hueneme to the northwestern boundary of Pt. Mugu Naval Air Station, which encompasses Mugu Lagoon. Although the wetlands have been drained, filled, and degraded over the past century, this is one of the few areas in southern California with an intact dune-transition zone–marsh system. Ormond Beach is considered by wetland experts to be one of the most important wetland restoration opportunities in southern California. It is also an important public access and beach recreation area for South Oxnard, Oxnard and the larger region.

The Coastal Conservancy, the City of Oxnard and The Nature Conservancy have been working to develop a restoration and access plan that balances habitat restoration and protection of sensitive plant and animal species with improved and increased public access.

For additional information or to join our listserv please contact [email protected].

Resources

Archives

The City of Oxnard’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) was approved by the City Council on December 7, 2022.

The City’s CAAP builds on the City’s successes of implementing the City’s 2030 General Plan and recommits to furthering the City’s sustainability goals and policies.