As 2025 dawns, several U.S. states, including Oregon, California, Delaware, Rhode Island, and Hawaii, will Ban on expanded polystyrene begins (EPS) foam packaging and products. EPS, commonly known by its trade name “Styrofoam”, is a material notorious for its environmental impact. Persistence in the ecosystem and Recycling challenges.
EPS foam is lightweight and brittle. It is a major source of microplastics that persist in the environment and is resistant to natural decomposition, leading to long-term pollution of waterways and landscapes. Additionally, EPS is difficult to recycle and most EPS products end up in landfills or trash due to limited equipment to process the material.
In 1989, the Center for Environmental Health, part of the Centers for Disease Control, first Health risks associated with styrenea polystyrene component that can interfere with hormones and reproduction, and can even cause cancer with long-term exposure. Once the material is used on a daily basis, Environmental impact of polystyrene It became painfully obvious. Advocacy groups have been campaigning hard in recent years. achieve passage of New prohibitions. British Columbia took the most aggressive action in 2023. ban on all single-use plasticsIt’s not just EPS.
Scope of prohibition
The new prohibition covers a variety of EPS products.
- food service containers: Single-use items such as cups, plates, bowls, clamshell containers, and trays have been banned. Although these products are popular in the food service industry, they pose a significant risk to the environment because they are non-biodegradable.
- cooler and icebox: The ban includes lightweight, insulating EPS foam coolers. Because they tend to break down into smaller particles, they contribute to widespread environmental pollution.
- packaging materials: Items such as EPS packaging peanuts, which are often used to cushion products during shipping, are also prohibited under the new regulations.
A growing legislative movement
This year’s wave of bans signals a growing movement for a responsible approach to plastic pollution. Plastic bans first gained traction in Washington state. In 2024, Washington state enacted legislation to phase out EPS products, setting a precedent for other states. Peter Ryan, solid waste management program manager for the Washington State Department of Ecology, said at the time: said“Single-use foam plastic products are cheap to buy, but the environmental costs are high. Expanded polystyrene is difficult to recycle and often ends up in the garbage.”
In 2024, Oregon passed Senate Bill 543, which bans the sale or distribution of EPS food containers and peanut packaging. The state also banned the use of PFAS in food packaging. “This legislation is an important step to reduce plastic pollution in our state, protect our natural resources, and promote public health,” said Governor Tina Kotek. The bill took effect on January 1st.
California’s SB54, Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Manufacturer Responsibility Act; Mandate that all plastic food packaging is recyclable and that Manufacturer will demonstrate By 2025, 25% of the materials will be recycled and operations will continue in the state. EPS recycling, While evolvingit is currently not economically viable in most areas as very large quantities need to be collected to generate a profit.
Future advocacy and support
Environmental groups praised the new law, saying it set an example for other parts of the country.
“Not only is styrene toxic to human and environmental health, but so are PFAS in food.” “The Oregon Environmental Council’s environmental health program director, Jamie Pan, said: said in Ocean Conservancy Press Release. Dr Anja Brandon from the Marine Conservancy added:These bills are a huge win for our oceans and the Oregon communities that depend on them.“
The recent ban on EPS foam packaging highlights the growing demand for regulations that reduce plastic pollution and protect the environment and human health. As the anti-plastic movement grows, states are drawing new regulatory lines that define how dangerous the materials are.e and used. Consumer actions can reinforce the message to food manufacturers and restaurateurs that they need to embrace sustainable practices and address the challenge of single-use plastics.
