Will Calif. Ban Foam Takeout Containers?

by Alexis Petru
Published on June 3rd, 2011

California is taking steps towards becoming the first state to ban polystyrene takeout food packaging. Yesterday the state Senate passed a bill to prohibit the material in restaurants and other businesses, and now the legislation moves to the Assembly for discussion.

Passing by a 21-15 vote, SB 568 would bar restaurants and other food vendors from distributing prepared food in plastic #6 polystyrene cups, bowls, plates, trays or clamshell containers. Businesses can continue to use foam takeout packaging if their jurisdiction has a recycling program for polystyrene and 60 percent of the material is recycled.

The ban would take effect on Jan. 1, 2014, for most food vendors, but would allow school districts until 2015 to comply with the law or set up a polystyrene recycling program.

Environmental groups and various cities support the measure, citing the material's slow decomposition in the landfill, a lack of convenient recycling programs and litter clean-up costs. California cities like San Francisco and Palo Alto have already banned polystyrene takeout packaging in their restaurants.

Organizations that oppose the legislation such as the American Chemistry Council and California Chamber of Commerce say that the ban will increase businesses' operating costs and limit consumer choice.

(Source: earth911.com)

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