In an article published on May 15, 2017 by news provider Plastics News, reporter Jim Johnson informs that the City of New York (NYC), U.S., will impose another ban on expanded polystyrene (EPS) food service packaging, taking effect on November 13, 2017. Already in 2015 NYC banned EPS food packaging (FPF reported), but was sued by the Restaurant Action Alliance (RAA) and Dart Container Corporation (FPF reported), which led to an overturn of the city’s EPS ban by a state court.
The NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) published a report entitled “Determination on the recyclability of food-service foam” on May 12, 2017 and concludes that “food-service foam or post-consumer food-service foam cannot be recycled in a manner that is economically feasible or environmentally effective for New York City.” Therefore, “no food service establishment, mobile food commissary, or store shall possess, sell, or offer for use single-service articles that consist of expanded polystyrene” and “no manufacturer or store shall sell or offer for sale polystyrene loose fill packaging,” the report reads.
Michael Westerfield, corporate director of recycling programs at Dart Container Corporation, opposes the ban, calling it inconsistent with the 2015 court ruling and “wrong for struggling small businesses, restaurants and taxpayers.”
Read more
Jim Johnson (May 15, 2017). “New York City reintroduces EPS ban.” Plastics News
Reference
DSNY (May 12, 2017). “Determination on the recyclability of food-service foam.” (pdf)
