Local governments across the nation are prohibiting the use of non-recyclable plastics such as foamed polystyrene in takeout disposable food packaging because they are frustrated with the increasing amount of non-recyclable food packaging waste in our marine environment, streets, storm drains and landfills. Studies have shown that in the some areas of the Pacific plastic outweighs plankton by a factor of 46! Polystyrene is impractical to recycle due to its light weight, takes thousands of years to decompose and is the most common form of marine debris. Managing the debris costs local governments millions in storm drain clean up costs.

Foamed polystyrene is one of our country's most ubiquitous examples of over-processed, overabundant and unnecessary throwaway packaging. The most effective polystyrene ordinances force local business owners to only use disposable food packaging that is recyclable by the municipality's curbside recycling program. Not only do such ordinances encourage local businesses to use disposable food packaging made from post-consumer content, they also ensure that a major source of landfill material and litter is instead diverted to recycling, saving petroleum resources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and protecting our ecosystem and marine environment.

In January 2008, Millbrae enacted a Polystyrene Ban on all polystyrene, including expanded and clear polystyrene, requiring that all plastic takeout food packaging be recyclable or compostable. San Francisco banned polystyrene food packaging in July of 2007. In April 2008, San Mateo County enacted a ban on polystyrene from county facilities.

Citations:
‘Styrofoam food packaging banned in Oakland' by Jim Herron Zamora
Californians Against Waste: http://www.cawrecycles.org

Pictures:
http://www.cawrecycles.org

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