Miami-Beach-Takes-Next-Step-Toward-Becoming-a-Plastic-Free-City
We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant, tropical,
historic community.
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
DEPARTMENT OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS, Tel: 305.673.7575 PRESS RELEASE
Tonya Daniels, E-mail: tonyadaniels@miamibeachfl.gov
Melissa Berthier, E-mail: melissaberthier@miamibeachfl.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2019
Miami Beach Takes Next Step Toward Becoming a Plastic-Free City
— Introducing Full Enforcement of Single-Use Plastic Ban —
Miami Beach, FL – Committed to protecting Miami Beach’s unique, natural
environment, the City of Miami Beach launched its plastic-free initiative last summer with
the adoption of two ordinances, Ordinance 2018-4208 and 2018-4205, prohibiting the
use and distribution of single-use plastic bags, straws, and stirrers.
Beginning today, full enforcement of these citywide ordinances goes into full effect. The
ordinance and their penalties are as follows:
• Ordinance 2018-4208 extends the existing single-use plastic straw/stirrers ban
from beaches to all city properties, including marinas, parks, piers, docks, boat
ramps and sidewalk cafes (as well as contractors and special events permittees).
The first offense within a 12-month period is a $100 civil fine, the second $200
and the third violation is $500.
Sidewalk cafés in violation will receive a $500 fine for their first offense and $750
for their second count. The third violation will result in suspension of their
sidewalk café permit for one weekend and a $1,000 fine. If a fourth offense is
made, their permit will be revoked for the remainder of the permit year and they
will be issued a $1,250 fine. A permittee who has been issued more than four
violations within a permit year shall be prohibited from applying for and obtaining
a sidewalk cafe permit for a period of two permit years.
• Ordinance 2018-4205 will prohibit the use/distribution of single-use carry out
plastic bags on the right of way and to sidewalk café patrons. The penalties for
violations of this ordinance are the same as those set above for sidewalk cafés.
Following the enactment of the ordinances last July, the City launched a three-month
educational period that ran from August 6, 2018 to October 31, 2018 and another 3-
month period for written warnings from November 1, 2018 to January 31, 2019.
We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant, tropical,
historic community.
“We used a phased-out approach to allow businesses sufficient time to switch over and
deplete their inventory,” explained Mayor Dan Gelber. “Our goal with this method was to
conduct enough education and outreach for businesses to feel comfortable when the
time came to commit to alternative products.”
As part of its educational phase, the City launched a #PlasticFreeMB business program
to encourage businesses to voluntarily remove single-use plastics within their
operations. The www.plasticfreemb.com website and program also serves as an
educational platform for businesses to learn more about plastic alternatives . As of
January 2019, the program has 70 registered Miami Beach businesses.
“As a mission driven brand, we’ve already taken steps to eliminate plastics throughout
our properties and raise awareness around the issue to preserve beautiful Miami
Beach,” noted 1 Hotel South Beach Vice President Milton Sgarbi. “We’re proud to be a
part of the #PlasticFreeMB campaign and work closely with the City of Miami Beach.”
For more information on the citywide initiative, click here.
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