In the News

More California Jurisdictions Ban Polystyrene Takeout Containers Despite Costs

Feb 18, 2010

California jurisdictions continue efforts to implement bans on polystyrene food containers since State Assemblyman Jerry Hill pulled a bill from consideration last June that would have prohibited the use of polystyrene in food packaging state-wide. Hill introduced AB 1358 in February 2009, noting that over 20 California jurisdictions had already banned polystyrene and it was "time the State took a leadership role in the shift from Styrofoam to alternatives that are sustainable, recyclable, and biodegradable." However, other legislators expressed concerns that the bill would have an adverse impact on California businesses that manufacture polystyrene. Agreeing that the economic crisis made it bad timing for the legislation, Hill was quoted in a San Francisco Examiner article about pulling the bill as stating, "I don't, nor does anyone in the Legislature, want someone to lose their job." He added, "There is no doubt it would affect manufacturing companies in this state. It would probably cause some employment problems."

Since last summer, the small California seaside community of Del Ray Oaks approved a polystyrene ban in December 2009. Other jurisdictions considering bans include Monterey County, Freemont, and Daly City. In a January 31, 2010 article titled, "Daly City Styrofoam Ban Would be Pricey," the San Francisco Examiner reported, "If a ban were to be discussed and passed in Daly City, it would mean businesses could no longer use the containers. The largest group of affected businesses would be area restaurants, which find the foam containers cheap and easy to use for leftover or takeout meals."

PlasticNews.com suggested in a January 1, 2010 article that local communities will be at the forefront of initiatives to ban polystyrene takeout packaging this year since budget concerns in many states will take the focus away from environmental legislation. The article also noted that 28 cities and two counties in California have enacted polystyrene takeout packaging bans.