New York State’s ban on polystyrene foam (aka “styrofoam”) will go into effect on January 1, 2022.

The banned items include:

  • Single-use expanded polystyrene foam food service containers used for prepared food and beverages, including but not limited to: bowls, cartons, clamshells, cups, lids, plates, and trays; and
  • Packing peanuts or other void-filling, loose fill packaging products made of expanded polystyrene foam.

                                        Who does the ban apply to? See the list of affected businesses and organizations below.

  • COVERED FOOD SERVICE PROVIDERS selling or distributing prepared food or beverages, including restaurants, grocery stores, delis, coffee shops, caterers, food trucks and street vendors, hospitals, schools, adult care facilities and nursing homes, cafeterias, hotels, motels and inns, community meal programs, sporting venues, amusement parks, summer camps, correctional facilities, and faith-based organizations.
  • STORES (retail and wholesale) that sell or distribute single-use food service containers or loose fill packaging in New York State.
  • LOOSE FILL MANUFACTURERS who sell or distribute polystyrene foam loose fill in New York State.

Please note that the statewide ban does NOT apply to the following:

  • Containers used for raw meat, pork, seafood, poultry, or fish sold to be prepared by the customer;
  • Prepackaged food that is filled or sealed prior to receipt at a covered food service provider; Hard plastic food service containers marked with a number 6 (Polystyrene–PS) that are not foam; and
  • A city with a population of 1 million or more with a local expanded polystyrene foam ban in place like New York City.

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