In addition, packaging polystyrene peanuts is illegal. Maine isn`t the only state to ban polystyrene foam for food service. New York and Maryland (and others) have also banned polystyrene foam. Vermont has banned certain polystyrene foam products under its “single-use” products law. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, there was a global movement toward phasing out polystyrene foam. In many countries around the world, total or partial bans on expanded polystyrene foam have been issued nationwide. Polystyrene foam has also been banned at the subnational or local level in many countries. This prohibition does not apply to the use of polystyrene foam in other non-food service containers, such as plates, cups and coolers for domestic use. It also does not prohibit the use of polystyrene foam “peanut packaging”.

However, due to the non-recyclable nature of polystyrene foam and the costs associated with waste disposal, its use is not recommended. The new law bans all disposable polystyrene foam food containers, including bowls, cartons, mussel shells, cups, lids, plates and trays. On January 1, 2016, Washington, D.C. banned polystyrene foam take-out containers. On 1 January 2021, the ban was extended to the retail sale of polystyrene foam. [54] Due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection delayed enforcement of the law prohibiting the use of this product effective as of the original date of January 1, 2021. The law will come into force on July 1, 2021. In September 2021, Florida proposed phasing out polystyrene foam food packaging.

[62] Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, whose Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services oversees food safety in Florida, has proposed a rule to phase out polystyrene in 40,000 grocery stores, grocery stores, convenience stores and gas stations that the agency regulates in Florida. The Florida legislature will consider the proposed regulation in 2022. [63] In 2022, the bill banning polystyrene was passed by at least one legislative house in two states and one territory. In Connecticut, the alternate for SB 118 was passed by the state Senate in April 2022. [59] The Delaware Senate passed SSB1 for SB 134 in June 2022. [60] The Northern Mariana Islands region passed HB21-89 in the House of Representatives in 2020. [61] In California, lawmakers passed SB54 as the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act in June 2022. [55] The Act codifies extended producer responsibility (EPR) requirements for plastics, including the requirement that polystyrene be banned if recycling rates do not reach 25% by 2025.

Recycling rates averaged 6% when it was passed, leading some to call the law a “de facto ban” and expect an inability to comply within three years. [56] At least 128 cities in California have some form of polystyrene ban. [57] The city of Berkeley, California, adopted the first national ban on polystyrene foods in 1988, when all single-use foods had to be degradable or recyclable. The city of San Marcos, California also banned polystyrene foam in 2021. [58] It is made from the chemical styrene, which environmental experts say is suspected of being carcinogenic. According to this Act, all businesses and organizations that meet the definition of a food establishment; dining options; Agricultural exhibition; farmers` market; pantry, church or community organization that provides free food or beverages; Boarding houses, retirement homes, independent residences or nursing homes can no longer use polystyrene foam food items. This includes not only the restaurants, shops, and establishments listed above, but also a variety of dining options in the entertainment, hospitality, leisure, and tourism sectors. dining options; Correctional; hospital canteens; mobile restaurants; public and private schools; and workplace cafes. As of 2022, eight U.S.

states and one territory have passed laws banning polystyrene foam. Maryland was the first state to introduce a ban, which went into effect on October 1, 2020. [46] In Maine, a ban on polystyrene foam went into effect on July 1, 2021. [47] Vermont adopted a polystyrene ban in 2019, which went into effect on July 1, 2021. [48] The New York ban went into effect on January 1, 2022. [49] The ban on polystyrene foam in New Jersey was passed in 2020 and went into effect on May 4, 2022. [50] Colorado`s ban on polystyrene foam was passed in 2021, the ban went into effect on January 1, 2024. [51] Virginia`s ban on polystyrene foam dispensing containers was approved by the Virginia General Assembly in 2021 and will go into effect by July 2028 for large businesses and July 2030 for small businesses. [52] In 2021, Washington also adopted a ban on polystyrene, which will go into effect in 2023.

[53] Get the best possible experience and stay connected with your community with our Spectrum News app. In general, most stores, food packaging facilities and meal delivery stores meet the definition of a food establishment. There are some exceptions for certain uses, such as foam coolers for seafood processing or shipping. Definitions and exceptions are described in the Guidelines/FAQs. The polystyrene ban in New York is now in effect at the beginning of the new year. Companies that do not comply with the law will be fined. This law was made from an environmental perspective. Polystyrene is known as a problematic part plastic. Expanded polystyrene foam, commonly but unfairly known by the trade name polystyrene foam (a material made for building insulation or crafts[1]), has been used since the 1960s.

Due to its light weight, shock absorption, insulating properties and low price, it is particularly popular for the production of disposable packaging and food products. Recently, polystyrene foam service goods have become a problem for the environment as well as for human health and safety. This is one of the top 10 articles on environmental waste. It is non-biodegradable, resistant to photo-oxidation and difficult to recycle. Currently, polystyrene foam is not collected for recycling in Maine and must be treated as waste. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services` National Toxicology Program has listed styrene, a chemical found in expanded polystyrene foam, as a reasonably expected human carcinogen that can be transferred from expanded polystyrene foam containers into food and beverages consumed by humans[2]. There are a few exceptions to the law, including expanded polystyrene egg cartons and white polystyrene shells used by grocery stores to package raw meat and fish. Please polystyrenefoam@maine.gov send an email with questions about the ban that are not covered on this website or in the guide/FAQ datasheet. Here are the following answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about this law: In June 2021, emergency legislation was passed providing a temporary exemption for polystyrene foam packaging for meat, poultry, fish, seafood and eggs.

This temporary exemption will be lifted on July 1, 2025, giving companies using polystyrene foam packaging for these “crude proteins” more time to find alternative materials for packaging their products.