Say goodbye to single-use plastics in Imperial Beach. Starting Friday one of the state’s strictest plastic bans goes into effect.
That includes all nonbiodegradable or recyclable food containers, straws and utensils. Single-use plastic bags were already banned. Polystyrene products, commonly referred to as Styrofoam, are also part of the latest restrictions.
Cities throughout California have imposed plastic bag bans in recent years as awareness has grown regarding the harm plastic does to the environment. But few have gone as far as IB.
"I’m just embracing it," said Katy Fallon who owns Katy's Cafe in IB. "You know I want to do my part anyway — I was born and raised in Southern California I want to keep it as good as we can."
RELATED: Imperial Beach Passes One Of The Broadest Plastic Bans In State
Fallon switched to paper straws a while back and, in the months leading up to the ban, she got paper cups, bags, and just got new paper to-go boxes. Fallon said switching to biodegradable products is more expensive, but it won’t break her business.
"It’s just something we have to adapt to," she said. "Nobody likes to be forced into a change."
Fallon said she has raised her prices a little, but every item on the menu is still under $10.
Katy’s Cafe still uses some one-time-use plastics such as, to-go utensils, but Fallon is working to change that and hopes others will too.
"I hope people can embrace it — the smaller businesses," Fallon said. "It is hard. It is hard just being in business but you’ve got to look at something else that you can save money on."
