SELECT Americans will be affected by a major takeout change starting next month.
It comes as the result of a statewide ban, which targets a specific aspect of fast food dining.
Fast food fans in one state will see a significant change next month (stock image)[/caption]
On July 1, 2025, larger food vendors in Virginia will no longer be able to use containers made from polystyrene (EPS), known by many as Styrofoam, per Fox affiliate WTTG.
Food vendor is a broad term that includes three main groups.
The first is restaurants, stores, and other establishments with 20 or more Virginia-based locations.
National chains and franchises are also part of the ban, along with any vendors who regularly serve prepared food to residents, such as catering trucks, non-profits, or even government entities.
While the July 1, 2025, date only affects those with 20 or more locations, all food vendors in the state will have to comply starting July 1, 2026.
Products that include Styrofoam could be bowls, cups, plates, trays, and even clamshell containers.
DOWNSIDES TOO GREAT
Virginia officials seek to reduce litter with the ban, protecting the local environment, especially waterways.
Not to mention, Styrofoam is particularly challenging to recycle as it has a low density and it tends to break apart.
Only about 1% of it is successfully recycled in the United States.
Styrofoam also takes over 500 years to decompose in landfills.
Additionally, styrene, a chemical included in Styrofoam, has been linked to health issues such as vision and hearing loss, impaired memory and concentration, and even cancer, among other nervous system damage, per Toxic-Free Future.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality is recommending food vendors use several other alternative options.
These include paper products made from recycled or plant-based fibers, like bamboo, bagasse, and wheat straw.
Recyclable plastics are also acceptable, along with foil, metal, and reusable containers.
Virginia Styrofoam Ban
- Starts on July 1, 2025, for food vendors with more than 20 locations in the state
- All food vendors must comply starting July 1, 2026
- Alternative options for food packaging include recyclable plastics, paper products, foil, metal, and reusable containers
- Officials seek to reduce environmental impact and negative health effects linked to Styrofoam
SMALL EXCEPTION
Some vendors could qualify for a delay to the ban.
The one-year exemption from their local governments would be accepted if they can demonstrate how the ban would cause “undue economic” hardship.
Continued extensions could also be granted if that hardship continues.
More resources for vendors can be found on the Foam Free Virginia website.
BAGS BASHED
Pennsylvania is also considering a statewide ban for a popular grocery essential.
Should it decide to pass the proposed bill into law, the state would become one of 12 others to get rid of plastic bags in stores and businesses.
California was the first to do it back in 2016, but since that time, Connecticut, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington have done it.
Many cities around the country also have the plastic bag ban, just not at the state level.
Aldi also became the first major US-based retailer to get rid of plastic bags at its over 2,500 locations in January 2024.
Target and Walmart followed suit with a similar sweeping change a few months later.
