Circular Economy > Film Plastic and Styrofoam
Film Plastic and Styrofoam
The Community Environmental Council (CEC) and the Santa Barbara ChannelKeeper (SBCK) have partnered on single-use plastics reduction in our region for more than a decade. Working together, we have successfully advocated for bans on plastic bags, straws, stirrers, and Styrofoam food containers. While both organizations believe that the best single-use plastic is the one that isn’t used in the first place, we also recognize that it’s very difficult to get our usage down to zero. That’s why we’ve also partnered with local businesses and organizations to expand plastic and styrofoam recycling.
HOW YOU CAN TAKE ACTION
Recycle your film plastic
The Community Environmental Council (CEC) and Santa Barbara Channelkeeper (SBCK) are pleased to support Ablitt’s Fine Cleaners and Tailors’ Planet Protector program in their efforts to collect and repurpose hard-to-recycle film plastics.
You can bring your items to Ablitt's Fine Cleaners and Tailors. Visit their website for information on their weekly sorting sessions – and to join their mailing list to be alerted of upcoming recycling events.
Reduce Use
Choose to purchase items not packaged or shipped in film plastic or styrofoam whenever possible. Select retailers that limit packaging and prioritize paper, which is more easily recycled. Bring your own reusable cup or container whenever possible to avoid styrofoam containers. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to avoid these items in our everyday lives, but when you have the power to say no and make an alternative choice, do it!
Recycle your styrofoam
Drop off your styrofoam to MarBorg Industries in Goleta or Santa Barbara. Visit their website for more information and drop-off locations.
What you can include:
Clean styrofoam (remove all tape, wrapping, or concrete)
If it “snaps” into pieces, it is acceptable
What you cannot include:
Any foam that once held food
Packing peanuts, packing foam sheets, memory foam, pool noodles, concrete-coated foam
If it bends without snapping, it is unacceptable
Get Educated
Visit the Circular Economy Resources page to learn more about #plasticfree options and sign up for email alerts from CEC that provide info on our latest plastic reduction and recycling efforts.
WHAT CEC IS DOING
Policy
The Community Environmental Council (CEC) and the Santa Barbara ChannelKeeper (SBCK) have partnered on single-use plastics reduction in our region for more than a decade. Working together, we have successfully advocated for bans on plastic bags, straws, stirrers, and Styrofoam food containers.
In 2022, California Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 54 into law. This landmark legislation that will reduce plastic packaging in the state and shift the waste management burden to the plastics industry. Watch our Plastic Pollution Solutions webinar to learn more about this legislation and related information about reducing single-use plastics from local to national scales.
Diversion
CEC has worked with local partners, including nonprofit organizations like Santa Barbara Channelkeeper and businesses like Ablitt’s Fine Cleaners, to divert hard-to-recycle plastic that would otherwise end up in the landfill. Read more about recent efforts to collect film plastics for recycling.
Through our Rethink the Drink campaign, CEC has also helped keep over 7 million water bottles out of the waste stream thanks to 121 school and community water refill stations that were installed as a direct result of CEC’s Waste Reduction program. Learn more about Rethink the Drink and how you can get your own water refill station installed.
