Minimizing Plastics Program
Businesses for a Better Planet
In an effort to work toward zero waste goals and address community concerns about ecologically damaging plastic litter, City Council took an early step in passing an ordinance regulating single-use plastic straws city-wide and expanded polystyrene (EPS, also known as Styrofoam) on city rights-of-way.
Local Ordinance
The ordinance was approved in December 2018, the formal transition period began January 2019, and City Council approved updates to the ordinance in October 2019. These changes were based on feedback received from businesses during an outreach campaign in which every business affected by the ordinance was visited and educated on the regulations. View the final Single-Use Straws and Expanded Polystyrene Ordinance.
Summary of Regulations on Straws
- No business may provide a customer with a plastic straw, unless for a medical need.
- Businesses may provide customers with a non-plastic straw only when a customer requests one. Drive-through windows are exempted from the request-only requirement.
- Polylactic acid (PLA) straws are not allowed as an alternative under St. Petersburg’s regulations. PLA is considered a type of thermoplastic and is characteristic of corn-based substitutes. Despite them being biodegradable in certain environments, they are still plastic.
Summary of Regulations on Expanded Polystyrene
- Businesses that operate on public property, in city facilities, or on city streets and rights-of-way are not allowed to distribute expanded polystyrene (EPS, also known as Styrofoam). This includes sidewalk cafes, food trucks, pushcarts, and vendors operating on public property. Clarification was provided to include Al Lang Stadium, the new St. Pete Pier, Albert Whitted Airport, and all Enterprise Properties under the EPS code.
Eco-Friendly Business Toolkit: Minimizing Plastics
The Eco-Friendly Business Toolkit outlines why regulating single-use plastics is necessary, summarizes ordinance information, and suggests next steps for businesses making the transition to more planet-friendly products. A folder of related materials is provided in addition to the toolkit and includes files for signage and stickers, employee tips, and more.
- Eco-friendly Business Toolkit: Minimizing Plastics (.pdf)
- Eco-friendly Business Toolkit: Related Materials (.zip)
Visit the Suncoast Rise Above Plastics—Suppliers of Alternative Materials page for more information regarding recommended suppliers of plastic- and polystyrene-free alternatives.