S A N TA M O N I C A
REFLECTING THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY smmirror.com
Vikings Boys Basketball Falls in 2nd Round of Playoffs PAGE 8
February 15 – 21, 2019 Volume XXI, Issue 31
Restaurants and SM’S Single-Use Plastic Ban City's disposable foodware ordinance under effect.
ta Monica Bay regularly and some of the most common items are plastic straws, plastic utensils, foam containers, and other foodware and packaging. The updated Disposable Foodware Ordinance will help keep some of these items off the beach and out of the ocean, but more importantly it sets a standard for communities all By Keldine Hull over the country to develop zero waste strategies When an updated Disposable Food Service and minimize the amount of plastic that ends up Ware Ordinance went into effect in Santa Mon- in the environment," said Surfrider Plastic Polluica on January 1, 2019, the city became one tion Manager Trent Hodgers. of the first in the country to ban the use of sinEnforcement for the updated ordinance begle-use plastics. gins on July 1, 2019, but businesses throughout Under the ordinance, all straws, lids, utensils, Santa Monica have already started the transition. plates, trays, containers, cups, bowls, containers, With the help of Surfrider Foundation’s Oceanstirrers and lid plugs are banned in the City for Friendly Restaurant program, the Rustic Canyon prepared food products. Retail plastics prod- Family- which includes Rustic Canyon, Huckucts from grocery stores and other commercial leberry Bakery & Café, Milo & Olive, Sweet outlets and not impacted under the scope of the Rose Creamery, Esters Wine Shop & Bar and rules. Tallula’s- began research into more eco-friendly Additionally, marine degradable straws and products before the ordinance passed. utensils may only be provided upon request. The “It’s not a matter of simply switching over ordinance temporarily exempts cups and cup to these products, but doing endless hours of lids to allow product manufacturers, distributors research to find products that will fit our needs. and businesses more time to acquire ordinance Some don’t even exist, some are cost-prohibicompliant materials. tive, some fall apart so quickly and would result “As a beach city, single-use plastics pose in a guest spilling food or burning themselves, serious problems for the natural environment, and some result in a larger carbon footprint beincluding polluting cause they’re made in the ocean and clogChina. Either way, ging landfills,” said we’re committed to Chief Sustainability working with the city Officer Dean Kubani on this and having a in August after City positive impact on Council passed the our environment," ordinance. "This desaid Elise Freimuth, cision will protect our Rustic Canyon Fambeaches while also ily Director of Comgetting us closer to munications, Photo: Facebook. our zero waste goal Rustic Canyon Huckleberry Bakery & Café in Santa Monica. by 2030.” Family Executive Environmental orProject Manager ganizations, like the Surfrider Foundation, be- Monica Heffron has been a driving force behind lieve the updated ordinance is a step in the right research and testing products that are compliant. direction. Heffron outlines the steps being taken to meet “The Surfrider Foundation Los Angeles PLASTICS, see page 9 Chapter conducts beach cleanups along the San-
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Trash piled up on Venice Beach beach on Febuary 11 following rainfall. Despite the blue looking Santa Monica Bay, water quality after storms is very poor in Southern California beaches.
Santa Monica Bay After Rainfall
By Keldine Hull
Two years after California experienced its wettest year since record-keeping began in 1895, the rain continues to fall, ending drought conditions in several parts of California long accustomed to carefully monitoring water usage. While rainfall is welcome, swimmers, surfers and anyone else who frequents California beaches, especially in Santa Monica Bay, are reminded to be cautious when it comes to going into the water in winter months. “When rain falls in developed areas, the rainwater becomes stormwater runoff and washes debris and pollutants into nearby rivers, streams and stormwater drains, which eventually flow into the ocean without treatment. Immediately during and after the storm, you can often see evidence of runoff by a change in ocean color from increased sediment in the water right off the beach.” said Katie Day, Staff Scientist for
the Surfrider Foundation, “Unfortunately, it’s what you don’t see that can be much more dangerous. Stormwater brings bacteria and other pathogens to the beach where it can cause people to get sick.” Beachgoers are advised to wait at least 72 hours before entering the water after rainfall, the time it takes for bacteria and other pollutants to dilute back down to safe concentrations. Contributing factors like water flow and currents impact how quickly beaches recover from pollutants in the water. “Beaches and bays that have high water flow and strong currents can sometimes dilute these pollutants faster, while areas with weaker currents and low water flow may require more time- up to ten days. In addition to dilution, the sunlight, saltwater, and even other marine life can help kill excess bacteria over this time- period,” Day said. Location is another factor in determining
WATER, see page 9
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