RESOLUTION NO. 26.XXX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING STATEWIDE
ACTION TO REDUCE MICROPLASTIC POLLUTION,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INTENTIONALLY
ADDED MICROPLASTICS AND MICROFIBERS
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Beach recognizes that microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than five millimeters, are pervasive contaminants found in waterways, soil, food systems, drinking water, marine ecosystems, and the air; and WHEREAS, microplastics are released from a variety of consumer products, including but not limited to plastic based tea bags, synthetic kitchenware and cutting boards, food and beverage packaging, tires, personal care products containing intentionally added microplastics, and synthetic textiles that release microfibers during washing; and WHEREAS, the State of California (“State”) has historically led the nation in environmental protection and pollution prevention, including landmark plastic reduction policies such as Assembly Bill 888 and extended producer responsibility frameworks such as Senate Bill 54; and
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Beach has adopted local policies to reduce plastic pollution, including prohibiting retail food vendors from dispensing prepared food or beverages in disposable food service ware made from expanded polystyrene foam or nonrecyclable plastic; prohibiting the retail sale of expanded polystyrene foam or nonrecyclable plastic disposable food service ware; and requiring City facilities, City-managed concessions, City-sponsored events, City-permitted events, franchisees, contractors, and vendors doing business with the City to refrain from using disposable food service ware made from expanded polystyrene foam or nonrecyclable plastic; and
WHEREAS, the Laguna Beach Municipal Code prohibits any person from bringing, Attachment 1
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using, or distributing single-use plastic food service ware on City beaches, parks, and trails; and WHEREAS, the City supports State and federal legislation restricting microplastics in order to protect the City's shoreline and waterways, designated marine protected areas and marine conservation areas, and beach water quality and to prevent stormwater runoff from degrading the marine environment and ecosystems; and
WHEREAS, protecting public health, safeguarding California's waterways and coastline, preserving marine ecosystems, and advancing environmental justice require science-based actions to prevent microplastic pollution at its source; and
WHEREAS, local governments lack sufficient regulatory authority to comprehensively address the manufacture, distribution, and sale of products that contribute to microplastic pollution and therefore the City calls upon the State of California to provide coordinated Statewide leadership while preserving local decision-making authority; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that reducing microplastic pollution through Statewide legislation and coordinated implementation is consistent with the City's long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and the protection of coastal resources.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA BEACH DOES RESOLVE:
SECTION 1. The City Council calls upon the Governor of California to direct the California Environmental Protection Agency, including the State Water Resources Control Board; the California Natural Resources Agency, including the Ocean Protection Council; and other appropriate State agencies to develop and implement enforceable Statewide microplastic reduction and elimination strategies and targets, while preserving local decision-making authority and 5 -3- Reso. #26.XXX
providing appropriate funding and technical assistance where implementation responsibilities are assigned to local governments.
SECTION 2. The City of Laguna Beach supports State legislative measures that, amongst other things, would (1) phase out intentionally added microplastics in consumer, commercial, and industrial products where feasible alternatives exist; (2) require microfiber filtration in new residential washing machines, and offer incentive programs to encourage voluntary retrofitting of existing washing machines; (3) establish clear consumer labeling standards for products that may release microplastics or microfibers during normal use; and (4) expand extended producer responsibility requirements for manufacturers whose products contribute to microplastic pollution.
SECTION 3. The City Council encourages continued scientific research, public education, and collaboration among State agencies, local governments, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and industry to identify effective methods to reduce the release of microplastics and microfibers into the environment.
SECTION 4. The City Council determinates that adoption of this Resolution is not a "project" subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") because it constitutes a statement of the City's policy position and an organizational or administrative activity of government that will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment (State CEQA Guidelines, Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §§ 15060(c)(3), 15378(a), 15378(b)(5)); and the City Council further finds that, in the alternative, if adoption of this Resolution were determined to be a project, it is exempt under the "common sense" exemption set forth in State CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3), because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that adoption of this Resolution may have a significant effect on the 6 -4- Reso. #26.XXX
environment.
ADOPTED this 4th day of August, 2026.
Mark Orgill, Mayor
ATTEST:
Ann Marie McKay, City Clerk
I, Ann Marie McKay, City Clerk of the City of Laguna Beach, certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 26.XXX was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of said City held on August 4, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
City Clerk, City of Laguna Beach, CA
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