Project O, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring and protecting ocean health, has officially recertified the City of Manhattan Beach as a “Blue City” through its Blue City Network (BCN). This recognition highlights the City’s continued leadership in sustainability and coastal protection, as it has since first earning certification in 2020.
In its 2025 recertification, Manhattan Beach achieved 465 points out of a possible 500, improving its original score by 30 points and maintaining its place in the Ocean Hero Tier, the highest level of achievement within the BCN framework.
“Manhattan Beach continues to set the bar for what it means to be a coastal sustainability leader,” said Evelina Marchetti, Chief Operating Officer of Project O. “From stronger plastics policies to innovative stormwater projects and hands-on community engagement, the City is showing how local action can make a global difference.”
“The City of Manhattan Beach is proud to have earned recertification as a ‘Blue City’ by the ‘Blue City Network,’ a nonprofit dedicated to protecting oceans and waterways. The recertification is a testament to our community's deep commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Mayor David Lesser.
Cities, towns, and counties earn the Blue City certification by demonstrating leadership in plastic reduction, climate resilience, water management, and ecosystem protection. In 2020, the City of Manhattan Beach was previously certified as the first ‘Blue City.'
“This recognition reflects the collaborative efforts of our residents, businesses, and City staff who understand that protecting our coastline and ocean is an environmental imperative and essential to preserving the quality of life that makes Manhattan Beach special," continued Mayor Lesser. "We remain dedicated to leading by example and implementing innovative solutions to safeguard our coastal environment for generations to come.”
The Blue City Network certification provides a transparent, data-driven framework for cities to track progress toward sustainability goals. Assessments focus on four solution areas: Waste Minimization, Climate Protection & Community Resilience, Water Quality & Efficiency, and Healthy Ecosystems.
Highlights of Manhattan Beach’s recertification include:
● Expanded single-use plastics policy restricting straws, utensils, meat trays, balloons, and more.
● Community engagement through events like the Ocean Protection Bike Tour and Film Screening at the 2025 Earth Day Celebration.
● Clean transportation progress with 28 City-owned EV charging stations citywide and more underway.
● Innovative water projects, including recycled water planning and new stormwater treatment systems to improve water quality and resilience.
With this achievement, Manhattan Beach joins other certified Blue Cities—including Oceanside, Encinitas, San Clemente, and Solana Beach—that are working together to protect waterways and oceans for future generations.
About the Blue City Network
The Blue City Network is a certification program created by Project O, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting oceans and waterways. Cities earn certification by demonstrating leadership across four solution areas: waste reduction, climate resilience, water management, and ecosystem protection. Certification is renewed every five years to ensure continued progress and alignment with evolving sustainability standards.
The Blue City Network is a program of Project O, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Laguna Beach, California. Founded by entrepreneur and ocean advocate Rich German, Project O’s mission is to restore, protect, and sustain the ocean and the life within it through education, advocacy, and community partnerships.
To learn more, visit https://project-o.org.
Media Contact
Company Name: Project O
Contact Person: Evelina Marchetti, Chief Operating Officer
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Website: https://project-o.org
