Miami Beach officials are offering new reusable coolers to beach-goers instead of issuing violations for plastic foam coolers.
The city banned Styrofoam and other plastic foam products on its beaches in 2012 to reduce litter and pollutants. Anyone caught with glass, cans or plastic foam products on the beaches are subject to fines up to $500.
On Friday and Saturday, Miami Beach officials and local environmental advocacy groups will be swapping the banned coolers for reusable alternatives at high-traffic beach entrances instead of issuing violations. The effort was coordinated by several Miami Beach city agencies and not-for-profit organizations.
On July 23, Miami Beach commissioners will vote on extending the plastic foam ban to public facilities, parks and sidewalk cafes. The new ordinance passed on first reading June 11.
