California County Considers Banning Styrofoam and Single-Use Plastics

As of October 18th, 2025, community leaders in El Dorado County, California are weighing the benefits of outlawing certain single-use plastics in an effort to better safeguard the environment. The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors is set to soon vote on a proposed ban that would prohibit the sale of polystyrene, plastic food packaging, and single-use water bottles.

The measure has garnered support from the League to Save Lake Tahoe, an environmental nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the Lake Tahoe Basin, which is home to nearly 300 species of mammals, fish, and birds. Extruded polystyrene, commonly known as Styrofoam, has long been the target of sweeping bans across the country due to its non-biodegradable nature and the risk it poses to wildlife and waterways.

However, the potential ban has also raised concerns from local businesses. Several business owners in El Dorado County have expressed worries about the higher costs and reduced profits they may face in finding sustainable alternatives to the banned items. The California Grocers Association has urged the Board of Supervisors to reconsider the ordinance, citing limited information and a lack of promised benefits.

As community leaders weigh the environmental and economic implications, the proposed plastic ban in El Dorado County reflects a growing trend among California municipalities to address the pressing issue of single-use plastic waste and its impact on the local ecosystem.