06.12.25
Advocacy Win: Surfrider Santa Cruz Supports Letter Urging Governor Newsom to Enforce Polystyrene Ban
By Darcie CAt the Surfrider Foundation Santa Cruz Chapter, we’re proud to stand with over 90 environmental organizations and businesses urging Governor Gavin Newsom to enforce California’s ban on expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam foodware—one of the most harmful forms of plastic pollution in our state.
On June 3, 2025, our chapter joined a coalition of environmental leaders in signing a letter addressed to the Governor and CalRecycle. The letter calls for immediate enforcement of the polystyrene foam ban that went into effect on January 1, 2025 under SB 54. While this ban is a major step forward, polystyrene foam products are still being sold and distributed across California, from grocery stores to online retailers—undermining the law and continuing to pollute our beaches, parks, and waterways.
Why It Matters:
Polystyrene doesn’t break down. Instead, it crumbles into tiny pieces that are easily carried by wind and water into storm drains, rivers, and the ocean. Once there, it’s mistaken for food by marine life and can leach toxic chemicals into the environment.
As the letter notes, CalRecycle has the power to issue fines up to $50,000 per day per violation, yet enforcement has been minimal. This coalition is urging the state to act—before more plastic foam pollution ends up in our ecosystems.
Local Impact:
Here in Santa Cruz, we see firsthand the devastating impact of polystyrene pollution. At nearly every beach cleanup we host, EPS is among the most persistent and problematic items we collect. This is why we proudly joined the call to action. Advocacy at the state level is essential to complement the on-the-ground work our volunteers do year-round.
We’re grateful to our Policy Committee Chair, Morganna Johnson, for ensuring our chapter’s voice was part of this powerful message. And we’ll continue to push for strong enforcement and smarter legislation that protects our coastline.
If you'd like to get involved with local policy issues, join our Policy Committee.