8/31/11

Styrofoam is a lightweight plastic that accounts for 15% of storm drain litter, ending up in creeks, rivers, and ultimately in the ocean. It is the second-most-common type of beach debris, and is harmful to human health, posing an increased risk of leukemia and lymphoma.

UPDATE:

9/12/11 The California Legislature has tabled a statewide ban on polystyrene take-out containers, once again thwarting environmental advocates' efforts to make California the first state in the nation to adopt one.

Authored by Rep. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, the ban cleared the state Senate and made it to the floor of the state Assembly. But Lowenthal yanked the bill late Thursday when it became clear he didn't have the votes to get it passed. Read More 

SB 568 would prohibit a food vendor or restaurant on or after January 1, 2016 from dispensing prepared food to a customer in a polystyrene foam food container (a.k.a. Styrofoam). The compliance date for public schools is July 1, 2017.

Call your Assembly Member today!

The bill would allow Cities and Counties to continue dispensing food in foam foodware if it adopts an ordinance establishing a recycling program for foam foodware containers and at least 60% of the foam food containers would be recycled. This recycling program would have to be renewed every five years.