City prohibits the use of plastic bags, straws and Styrofoam products on the beach

On Tuesday, June 25, 2019, City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to prohibit the use of single-use plastic bags, plastic straws, polystyrene (also known as Styrofoam) coolers, cups and food containers and balloons on the beach.

The City of Isle of Palms wants to encourage residents and visitors to use reusable, recyclable and compostable products.

"There is no doubt that plastic and Styrofoam products pose a threat to our environment. The trash that is left on the beach makes its way to our waterways and the ocean and is deadly to marine life. Plastic bags look like jellyfish and block the digestive tracks of sea turtles. We couldn't sit idly by while seeing how this problem was affecting our beautiful beach," said Mayor Jimmy Carroll.

These regulations will go into effect on January 1, 2020 along with the prohibition to retailers to distribute these products at point of sale.