14 Cities That Have Banned Surprising Everyday Items
3. New York City, NY – Foam Containers
It might seem strange, but NYC has a serious no-no on foam containers, like Styrofoam takeout boxes. The city found that these were not recyclable, contributing to huge amounts of landfill waste. The ban encourages restaurants and vendors to use biodegradable or recyclable containers instead.
4. Cambridge, MA – Plastic Bags
Cambridge went beyond the usual grocery store bans and extended the no-plastic-bag policy to all retail outlets. Why? The city wanted to decrease plastic pollution, keep its streets cleaner, and protect the Charles River from plastic debris that could harm wildlife.
5. Portland, OR – Disposable Foam Cups
Portland is known for its environmentally conscious population, so banning disposable foam cups was a no-brainer. The city’s reasoning? Protecting the environment by reducing the waste stream and promoting reusable options. It also helps reduce the carbon footprint of waste processing.
6. Honolulu, HI – Sunscreen Containing Oxybenzone and Octinoxate
The ban in Honolulu is about saving the coral reefs. These two chemicals in sunscreens have been shown to bleach and damage coral reefs, impacting marine ecosystems and tourism. Tourists visiting Hawaii must now opt for reef-safe sunscreen to protect its delicate environment.
7. Boulder, CO – Plastic Water Bottles on City-Owned Property
Just like San Francisco, Boulder also took a stand against plastic water bottles, but specifically on city-owned property. It’s an eco-friendly policy designed to minimize waste, encourage reusable alternatives, and make a real difference in local recycling efforts.
8. San Francisco, CA – Plastic Water Bottles
San Francisco’s love for sustainability is legendary, so it’s no shock that they’ve outlawed plastic water bottles on city property. The idea? Cut down on plastic waste and reduce the pollution affecting the oceans. Locals and visitors have been nudged toward using reusable bottles and water refill stations instead
9. Minneapolis, MN – Commercial Plastic Bags
Minneapolis wanted to take action against the 100,000 plastic bags that end up in landfills each day. The city’s move to ban them was about minimizing litter and boosting the use of reusable bags, which have become a staple for shoppers.
10. Miami Beach, FL – Styrofoam Containers
It may sound counterintuitive in a state famous for beach parties, but Miami Beach has banned Styrofoam containers to prevent waste from contaminating its waters and endangering sea life. It’s a step toward protecting marine animals that mistake foam for food.
11. Santa Barbara, CA – Plastic Straws and Utensils
Santa Barbara took a page out of Seattle’s book with its own ban on plastic straws and cutlery. The goal here? Keeping the city’s beautiful beaches free from plastic waste and encouraging citizens to think about their daily consumption habits.
12. Albuquerque, NM – Plastic Bags
Albuquerque has banned plastic bags to keep its streets and waterways clean and reduce landfill waste. The city wanted to curb the number of bags that end up in the Rio Grande and affect the wildlife that depends on the river for survival.
13. Austin, TX – Single-Use Plastic Bags
Austin’s progressive environmental policies include banning single-use plastic bags in retail stores. The city’s reason is clear: they want to minimize litter, promote recycling, and inspire residents to switch to reusable shopping bags.
14. San Luis Obispo, CA – Plastic Straws and Plastic Bags
This coastal Californian city not only banned plastic straws but also implemented a city-wide ban on plastic bags. Why? The motivation was simple: reduce the environmental impact on both land and sea and promote sustainability with reusable alternatives.
