Local businesses share their perspective on single-use plastic restrictions in unincorporated Monterey County

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV)- UPDATE ON OCT. 11, 2023- The Monterey County Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance to restrict food provider's use of single-use plastic food accessories in unincorporated Monterey County.

The ordinance would effect 600 businesses in unincorporated Monterey County such as Castroville and Moss Landing.

Pasi Eltit who is the manager of the Power Plant Coffee and Store in Moss Landing said that it is a good thing the County is putting an effort to keep the environment clean.

"I know that a lot of people don't like those, but, I mean, if it's an adjustment that we need to make that we're all in for that," Eltit said.

The restrictions will impact how restaurants offer trays, plates and bowls among other items.

Single-use plastics will only be separately and not in bulk.

According to the Plastic Debris Rivers to Sea Project, 60 to 68 percent of all marine debris and 90 percent of floating debris is plastic material.

Eltit says that the business still uses some plastic utensils.

If restaurants already have large inventories of plastic items, the County may allow the restaurant to use them until they make the switch.

The ordinance would go into effect in the next 31 days.

Restrictions on single-use plastics in unincorporated Monterey County passed

The Monterey County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday passed an ordinance to restrict food providers' use of single-use plastic food accessories in unincorporated Monterey County.

In a 4-0 vote, the board approved the ordinance that will "encourage the use of reusable or compostable products by food providers and consumers, and to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics in general to reduce litter, protect natural resources, and protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Monterey County."

Food providers in unincorporated Monterey County, which were estimated to be 600 providers as of Sept. 15, 2023, will only be allowed to serve food in single-use plastics if requested by the consumer.

There are notable exceptions such as drive-through customers can request single-use plastics, those who use a third-party platform for food services can also request, and a plethora of other uses shall be allowed.

The following plastics are considered single-use:

1. Trays
2. Plates, bowls, cups, cup lids
3. Utensils, which are defined as knives, forks, spoons, sporks, and chopsticks
4. Straws
5. Stirrers
6. Splash Sticks
7. Cocktail sticks
8. To-go containers, clamshells, and all other containers with plastic lining.

Those who violated the ordinance shall be given a warning before their first citation, said the county.

This ordinance will be put into effect in 31 days from Tuesday.