San Marcos City Council approves single-use container ban for the river 

By Preethi Mangadu 

News & Culture Director 

SAN MARCOS — City Council approved an amended ordinance banning single-use beverage containers on the San Marcos River Tuesday evening. The motion passed with 6-0 votes, with City Council Member Mark Gleason absent.  

“I think what we have in front of us is a good ordinance,” said City Council Member Jude Prather. “And I think it would increase public safety, and it will leave behind a legacy of a cleaner community in San Marcos.” 

What does it involve? 

Commonly known as the “Can Ban,” the notion bans beverage containers that are meant to be thrown away such as containers made of metal, cardboard, plastic, aluminum, Styrofoam or glass.   

The ordinance also limits coolers. San Marcans will be allowed one 30-quart cooler each on public riverways. Alcoholic beverages with five fluid ounces or less will be banned.  

Not all areas will be affected by it, though. The City of San Marcos will be implementing “No Zones” — areas that follow the ordinance — and “Go Zones” — areas that are not under the ordinance. 

“No Zones” — that will be along the riverbanks — are going to be designated with signage. 

Riverfront parks will be in the “Go Zones.” The parks include Rio Vista, City Park, Children’s Park, Plaza Park and Ramon Lucio Park. These areas were decided based on the distance from the river and how patrons use the parks. 

“These parks are very important for us to be able to enjoy them, especially for birthday parties and things like that,” said City Council Member Matthew Mendoza. “We need to understand that this is to protect the river, but also for our citizens.” 

When does it go into effect? 

A second reading will be held this year to officially approve the ordinance. Several council members stated that they expected amendments before this session. 

If approved in this session, the legislation will go into effect on May 1.  

How is it being enforced? 

Citations will be issued for violating the ordinance. However, if approved, the city will enter an education period where citations would not be used.  

During that period, the city would focus on making San Marcans aware of the policy for a year. The education period would end on April 25, 2025. 

“This to me on the legal aspect is hard to enforce,” said City Council Member Shane Scott. “But more importantly, it changes behavior, and we have to start somewhere.”