FOOD chains and stores caught flouting a new packaging ban could be hit with a $50 fine – every day.
Officials are eliminating a popular product used to serve takeout meals because it’s potentially toxic to people.
Expanded polystyrene is a form of plastic foam, made from fossil fuels, and is commonly used for food containers and packaging, including takeout[/caption]
A growing number of states are eliminating use of the product because of the threat it poses to wildlife and humans[/caption]
From July 1, Virginia will become “foam free” for large food vendors, reported NBC-affiliated WVVA.
Expanded polystyrene foam, widely known as Styrofoam, is being banned to force firms to switch to more biodegradable packaging.
The single-use product is commonly used to serve up takeout meals, and is popular because of its ability to keep foods hot or cold – plus it’s cheap and lightweight.
But, it breaks down into small pieces and takes an estimated hundreds to thousands of years to biodegrade, according to Elly Boehmer, the state director of Environment Virginia.
Also, it’s hazardous to wildlife, and potentially toxic to humans, warned Fox News, as it creates litter, and pollutes waterways.
The strict ban includes plates, hinged containers, cups, bowls and trays.
Virginia’s prohibition of polystyrene containers will impact firms in two phases.
Large food vendors in the state will no longer be allowed to serve up meals on single-use polystyrene from July 1.
This initial ban – aiming to eliminate “Expanded Polystyrene” (EPS) – hits chain food vendors with 20 or more locations.
Then, the ban rolls out statewide from July 1, 2026, to include all other food vendors.
That means restaurants, food trucks, school cafeterias, and others in the food industry must ditch Styrofoam containers in a year’s time.
Those found violating the new rule will be hit with a $50 daily fine for non-compliance.
The ban was passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 2021.
Co-patron of the bill, Del. Paul E. Krizek, D-Fairfax, told the Associated Press in 2020, “Nothing we use for a few minutes should be allowed to pollute our oceans and rivers and threaten wildlife for centuries.”
Del. Betsy B. Carr, D-Richmond, chief patron of the bill, said she introduced it because polystyrene is a serious contributor to pollution and poses a health risk to humans and animals.
Polystyrene foam can leach toxic chemicals into the surrounding environment.
Which states have banned polystyrene food service containers?
Virginia is the latest state to eliminate Styrofoam containers
California, Delaware, Oregon, Rhode Island, and nearly all of Hawaii have banned the use of plastic foam.
They have joined the growing number of states, counties, and municipalities that have barred bars and restaurants from using Styrofoam to package food, starting from January 2025.
Delaware enacted a law to phase out plastic foam foodware and reduce other unnecessary single-use plastics.
Food vendors may not use polystyrene foam containers for prepared food in Oregon.
A bill in Oregon prohibits food vendors from using polystyrene foam containers for prepared food, and bans the sale of polystyrene foam containers or polystyrene foam packing peanuts.
Washington issued a similar ban for businesses to sell Styrofoam bowls, plates, cups and other products last summer.
Environmentalists at Frontier Group warned in 2023 that chemicals that leach from polystyrene products can be toxic to marine life.
KILLS TURTLES
They added, “Three million tons of polystyrene foam are produced in the United States every year.
“(That’s) enough foam to fill AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, almost five times.
“Far too much of this foam becomes litter in our communities, polluting our roadsides, parks, rivers and beaches.
“Turtles, mammals, seabirds and other marine animals eat this foam – mistaking it for their food – and can suffer blocked digestive tracts that can keep them from getting the nutrients they need and cause starvation.”
HEALTH RISK
Ocean campaign group Oceana said in a report published in April that polystyrene contributes to the 170 trillion microplastic particles floating in our oceans.
It added, “Polystyrene has even been found in the clouds floating
overhead, the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the blood pumping through our veins.
“Plastic foam also poses significant health risks for humans because of how it is made. Styrene, the building block of plastic foam, is considered a probable carcinogen.
“Styrene and other added toxic chemicals are not tightly bound to the foam and can easily leach into food and beverages or be released into the air.”
ALTERNATIVES
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has recommended food vendors use safer alternatives, including paper products made from recycled or plant-based fibers, such as bamboo; foil or metal containers.
Chick-fil-A has already begun moving away from Styrofoam, specifically for its fountain drink cups, in 2023, and has almost completely transitioned as of this year.
