Publication: L.A. Times

UCLA Expert: J.R. Deshazo: (all former) Founding Director, UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation; Associate Professor and Vice Chair, UCLA Department of Public Policy; Professor, UCLA Samueli School of Engineering

Synopsis: An ordinance that went into effect on May 1, 2023 bans restaurants in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County from using Styrofoam containers and single-use food service plasticware.

UCLA News: Plastic makes up the vast majority of L.A. County’s litter, according to research by UCLA commissioned by the county to help it write its plastics ordinance. And most plastic — more than 85% — isn’t recycled. Instead, it fills up landfills or ends up in the street and gets flushed into storm drains and ultimately the ocean, causing harmful and deadly consequences to ocean life. It also costs a lot for the public. According to the UCLA research, led by Deshazo, taxpayers foot the bill for around $420 million every year in beach cleanup and waste prevention efforts.

Read more at LAist.