.png.240x240_q85_upscale.png)
SB 240 will resolve the longstanding conflict over local single-use plastic and other container regulations.
In 2008, the Florida legislature passed a law preempting local governments from regulating single-use plastic auxiliary containers and wrappings. Although local governments could not adopt new rules, existing rules around the state were grandfathered in and allowed to continue. For the last two years, industry groups have pushed legislation to repeal those existing rules and further strip away local governments' ability to regulate single-use or reusable containers.
Earlier this year, their attack on home rule, clean waters, and public health was nearly successful. HB 1609 was defeated at the last moment thanks to thousands of Floridians who spoke up and the political courage of Rep. Meg Weinberger who killed her own bill to preserve these important local protections.
For the 2026 Legislative Session, Senator Ileana Garcia, has filed SB 240, common-sense legislation that protects existing rules and provides a path forward for local governments to regulate plastic pollution impacting their communities.
This year’s GOOD Auxiliary Containers Bill (SB 240) is a much needed solution that will:
Plastic pollution impacts Florida’s waters, harms wildlife, and contaminates our drinking water. This good bill will safeguard rules already in place to protect waterways within state parks like the Ichetucknee River, Rainbow River, and Weeki Wachee River, as well as many coastal communities. And, it will create a new statewide uniform rule that, for the first time in more than 15 years, local governments can adopt to regulate plastic pollution in their communities.
We need you to make your voice heard on why we need this pragmatic and meaningful approach to address plastic pollution. Call and email members of the committee before Tuesday and ask them to vote YES on SB 240: Auxiliary Containers by Senator Garcia.
Be sure to personalize the email message and add your own subject line like “Vote Yes SB 240.”
SB 240 will resolve the longstanding conflict over local single-use plastic and other container regulations.
In 2008, the Florida legislature passed a law preempting local governments from regulating single-use plastic auxiliary containers and wrappings. Although local governments could not adopt new rules, existing rules around the state were grandfathered in and allowed to continue. For the last two years, industry groups have pushed legislation to repeal those existing rules and further strip away local governments' ability to regulate single-use or reusable containers.
Earlier this year, their attack on home rule, clean waters, and public health was nearly successful. HB 1609 was defeated at the last moment thanks to thousands of Floridians who spoke up and the political courage of Rep. Meg Weinberger who killed her own bill to preserve these important local protections.
For the 2026 Legislative Session, Senator Ileana Garcia, has filed SB 240, common-sense legislation that protects existing rules and provides a path forward for local governments to regulate plastic pollution impacting their communities.
This year’s GOOD Auxiliary Containers Bill (SB 240) is a much needed solution that will:
Plastic pollution impacts Florida’s waters, harms wildlife, and contaminates our drinking water. This good bill will safeguard rules already in place to protect waterways within state parks like the Ichetucknee River, Rainbow River, and Weeki Wachee River, as well as many coastal communities. And, it will create a new statewide uniform rule that, for the first time in more than 15 years, local governments can adopt to regulate plastic pollution in their communities.
We need you to make your voice heard on why we need this pragmatic and meaningful approach to address plastic pollution. Call and email members of the committee before Tuesday and ask them to vote YES on SB 240: Auxiliary Containers by Senator Garcia.
Be sure to personalize the email message and add your own subject line like “Vote Yes SB 240.”