Capitola joins an estimated 100 cities throughout the country, including Berkeley and Oakland, in banning polystyrene foam food service ware. The polystyrene manufacturing process is the fifth largest producer of hazardous waste in the United States, and the second worst environmental offender in California. Learn about how styrofoam and other plastics is harmful to people, wildlife and our environment:
--Plastic Debris Rivers to Sea
--San Clemente Project Surf-Styrofoam Ban
--Drowning in an Ocean of Plastic
--Get Plastics out of Your Diet

Many Capitola businesses have already successfully eliminated polystyrene and non-biodegradable packaging from their business operations. These leaders include Beach House, Dharma's Restaurant, Grinds Coffee/Tea, New Leaf Community Markets, Shadowbrook, Stockton Bridge Grill, and Zelda's.

Learn more about Capitola's revised ordinance to ban polystyrene foam and other plastic food service ware:
2009 Revised Capitola Ordinance

To assist business owners, the Capitola Commission on the Environment has compiled a list of companies that manufacture or distribute environmentally-safe food service ware. The ordinance also allows restaurants and food vendors to charge customers a small "take out" fee to cover the cost of approved packaging materials. Please note that the City of Capitola does not endorse any of these vendors or products:
--List of biodegradable and compostable materials
--List of alternative products
--List of sources for alternative products