With over 8,000 miles of coastline and 12,000 miles of waterways, Florida is known for its sandy beaches, vibrant ocean, and winding rivers. These natural treasures shape our state culture, attract millions of visitors, and drive the state's economy. In 2024, Florida welcomed a record-breaking 142.9 million tourists, who contributed over $131 billion to the state economy. The state’s beaches and waterways consistently rank among the top reasons people visit Florida.
At the same time, our coasts, ocean, and waterways face a serious threat from plastic pollution. Each year, an estimated 7,000 tons of plastic enter Florida’s ocean. Across the state, local governments are struggling to manage overwhelming amounts of trash as population growth continues, tourism booms, and waste management costs rise.
As landfills overflow and responsible waste management cannot keep pace with our plastics usage, plastic items make up the vast majority of marine litter. In 2024, plastic items accounted for 83% of all items collected in Surfrider’s nationwide beach clean-ups. The impacts of excessive plastic pollution are severe: damage to marine environments, harm to wildlife, and risks to human health. Plastic pollution also hits our state economy – Florida’s current plastic pollution deters an estimated $7 billion in tourism money from coming to the state.
Surfrider’s Florida network has been at the forefront in efforts to address plastic pollution and secure healthier coasts for all.
Engaging in State Advocacy for Practical Solutions, Not More Preemption
Florida’s statewide plastic preemption law prevents local governments from passing laws or regulations that restrict or reduce most single-use plastic items. Passed in 2008 and expanded in 2016 (to include foam items), the law has paralyzed communities from taking significant policy action to address plastic pollution. Notably, the state preemption prohibits bans or fees on plastic bags and certain plastic items (“auxiliary containers”).
Despite reports and surveys showing strong public and local government support for reducing single-use plastics, the Florida Legislature has not taken meaningful steps to implement reduction measures or provide education to the public. Instead, for the past two years, the Florida Legislature has introduced bills to expand the preemption even further, encompassing even more plastic items as well as items made of other materials (including glass, cloth, and aluminum). The proposed legislation sought to negate key, existing local laws and prevent any future action on these items by local governments. The proposed legislation provided no action or plan to address the growing plastic pollution and waste volume crises in the state.
This legislative session, Surfrider – alongside partners including the Florida Springs Council, Sea Turtle Conservancy, Oceana, Clean Miami Beach, and Ocean Conservancy – mobilized against these destructive bills. During Florida Healthy Beaches Day, Surfrider advocates met with legislators to share concerns about pollution problems in their communities and to highlight the bills’ far-reaching consequences for our coasts and ocean. Our Florida Ocean Friendly Restaurants added their voices to the fight by sharing how Florida’s preemption law undermines environmentally-conscious and responsible businesses. It took determined efforts into the final days of the regular session, but we were ultimately successful in stopping the expansion of Florida’s plastic preemption law again this year.
Defeating bad plastic preemption bills in 2024 and 2025 is a testament to grassroots power and the will of everyday Floridians. We want practical options for addressing the waste and plastic pollution problems in our communities. Surfrider will continue to fight against bills that would increase plastic pollution in the state and advocate for common-sense solutions that have been successful throughout the country.
Building Local Support and Policies for Reducing Plastic Pollution
As Surfrider’s Florida network fights for statewide plastics' reduction, our chapters are also busy in their local communities increasing public awareness and education about plastics, building coalitions and support for plastic reduction methods and practices, and spurring local policy changes. These efforts by Surfrider chapters not only improve on-the-ground circumstances but also build a stronger foundation of support for comprehensive state and federal action against plastics.
Spotlight on the Florida Keys Chapter: Skip the Stuff Summer Pledge 2025
This Plastic Free July, Surfrider’s Florida Keys Chapter launched a Skip the Stuff Summer Pledge to educate Keys community members and businesses, reduce plastic distribution and usage, and keep our coasts and ocean clean. Organized in partnership with Monroe County, the City of Key West, Islamorada Village of Islands, and many other dedicated organizations, the Skip the Stuff Summer Pledge encourages local businesses to provide items like plastic utensils, condiment packets, and straws only upon request.
The Florida Keys' one-of-a-kind coastal and marine ecosystems make reducing plastic use especially urgent. Notably, the Keys are home to Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the only barrier coral reef in the continental United States. In addition to supporting critical habitats and a vibrant, biodiverse array of species, the Sanctuary contributes nearly $4.4 billion annually to the state economy and supports more than half of all jobs in Monroe County.
"The Florida Keys are deeply connected to the ocean—not just geographically, but culturally, economically, and ecologically. That’s why our chapter was so excited to organize the Skip the Stuff Summer Pledge. It’s a simple action with real impact: just ask before offering the excess. This small shift helps our community rethink default plastic use and protect the ecosystems we love and rely on,” said Katie Cleek, Chair of the Florida Keys Chapter. “This effort is about building lasting partnerships with local businesses, showing that sustainability and hospitality can go hand-in-hand, and reminding visitors that the Keys are a place where people care about their impact. We want to preserve the magic of the Keys so that future generations can continue to enjoy and experience this one-of-a-kind place."
The Skip the Stuff Summer Pledge welcomes local businesses into a voluntary three-month commitment to adjust their business practices to only provide single-use plastic items like utensils, straws, and condiment packets upon request. This simple shift in practice reduces plastic waste, educates the community, and saves money for businesses. Participating businesses are provided with promotional materials and simple implementation guidelines and tips. To date, 19 restaurants have signed on to the Skip the Stuff Summer Pledge! Surfrider commends these businesses as leaders in the community and champions of our coasts and ocean.
Over the next months, the Keys Chapter will continue to recruit and support businesses undertaking the Skip the Stuff Summer Pledge. You can stay up to date on participating businesses here. The Chapter aims to build on the momentum of the pledge and encourage local businesses to become Ocean Friendly Restaurants, joining over 600 restaurants nationwide that are committed to cutting out wasteful single-use plastics. The Chapter will also explore local policy options for reducing single-use plastic usage and distribution in the Keys.
Looking Ahead
A walk along Florida’s beaches or paddle down our rivers makes it clear: there is still significant work to do to tackle single-use plastic pollution. But local action and persistent advocacy at the state level are making a difference for our coasts, communities, and ocean. Surfrider’s Florida network is dedicated to this fight – and we invite you to join us in our efforts to reduce plastic pollution and protect the places we love for generations to come.