New Ways to Adventure Responsibly & Keep Mammoth Lakes Unreal

In Mammoth Lakes, our natural environment is not just awe-inspiring, it is also delicate. In an effort to find the balance between impacts on and protection of the land, we ask that locals and visitors alike be aware of new state and local regulations now in place in the town of Mammoth Lakes.

What's Changing?

As of January 1, 2024, there are new restrictions on single-use items across the hospitality and restaurant industries. Hotels and lodging properties with less than 50 rooms will now be restricted from using small plastic toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner, and bath soap. Instead, they will provide reusable personal care products, such as soap dispensers.

The Town of Mammoth Lakes is already following California's mandate on single-use foodware and condiments, but has expanded the local ordinance to address Styrofoam, specifically. Effective January 1, 2024, the local ordinance now bans Styrofoam takeout food containers including cups, bowls, plates, and boxes, and limits the distribution of single-use items such as straws and utensils.

Additionally, the new year brought new changes to CRV law for beverage containers. You can now recycle wine, liquor and juice containers as well as pouches, boxes and cartons that held wine and liquor.

In addition, the community of Mammoth Lakes has launched new programs aimed at reducing waste and preserving our pristine landscape.

Thanks to Mammoth Disposal, the Mammoth Lakes Restaurant Association, and eight pilot restaurants, Mammoth Lakes has launched a new initiative to replace single-use to-go containers with reusable alternatives. Meet Buoy.

How to Use Buoy

Download and sign up on the Buoy App. The app generates a QR code that is unique to your profile. Be sure to save it! Use the map feature on the Buoy app to find all participating restaurants. When you’re ready to order or want to pack up leftovers, tell the server you want a Buoy container and use your QR code to “check out” the containers.

After enjoying a satisfying meal, drop off your containers at a Buoy drop-off bin, located at each participating restaurant. You can also request a home pick-up for $4. Return the containers within a 10-day period for free. If you love the containers and want to keep them, you will be charged a $8 fee per container.

Through our partnership with Buoy, our goal is to reduce waste in the Mammoth Lakes community. Because Buoy uses plastic intercepted from rivers and coastal regions, these products help keep our waterways and oceans clean. Buoy products are also made in California, with California sunshine (aka solar power)! Learn more about Buoy and sign up for the program by visiting their website - buoyzero.com.

How to Keep Mammoth Lakes Unreal

Outside of the Buoy program, there are numerous ways to leave less waste behind in Mammoth Lakes and support a healthier environment. Here are a few of our favorite tips:

Pack the car – Bring the whole family or friend group to Mammoth Lakes! Save on gas and reduce emissions by carpooling.
Use public transportation when you are here – The free Eastern Sierra Transit Authority bus system offers both summer and winter routes to access popular stops, including Mammoth Mountain lodges, the Mammoth Lakes Basin, The Village at Mammoth, grocery stores and restaurants. Learn more here.
BYOB – Bring Your Own Bottle (or mug)! On your way to the slopes, pack your favorite reusable containers. Local cafes are happy to serve beverages in your own container, and some may even offer a small discount.
Recycle locally - bring your recycling to Mammoth Disposal in the industrial park. There are changes to recycling that have also gone into effect including the regulation that paper products that can be recycled are office paper (no clips or binders) and newsprint(bagged), and cardboard is clean corrugated cardboard only (no cereal boxes, egg cartons, waxed cardboard).
Pledge your support to protect our beloved mountains – Mammoth Lakes and the surrounding Eastern Sierra are special places that we want to keep unreal for future generations. If you love Mammoth Lakes (and let’s be honest, how could you not?) please join us in promising to be a responsible recreator, do your part to take care of the places we all love and leave Mammoth Lakes even better than when you arrived. Read more about recreating responsibly here.