Photo courtesy of CalRecycle

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - CalRecycle released an update April 4 announcing that it will enforce California’s statewide ban on polystyrene foam foodware.

In 2022, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed California’s landmark anti-plastic pollution bill into law. The legislation included a ban on foam foodware, commonly called Styrofoam, unless the plastic industry demonstrated a 25% recycling rate by the end of 2024. That standard was not met, so the polystyrene foodware ban went into effect statewide in January. 

However, until now, neither Gov. Newsom nor CalRecycle had released any statement or guidance about the new ban or started enforcing it. As a result, foam cups, plates and containers have still been used by restaurants and for sale in stores across the state. 

Polystyrene foam is incredibly hard to recycle and only about 1% of it is recycled nationally. Plastic foam is frequently among the most commonly picked-up items at beach cleanups. Beyond littering our waterways and landscapes, foam cups and takeout containers can also leach harmful chemicals into the human body from food and beverages. 

More than 130 cities in California, as well as 10 other states, have ordinances restricting foam foodware. 

“Polystyrene foam cups, plates and take-out containers are overflowing our landfills, polluting our beaches and ocean, and contain chemicals that can make us sick,” said CALPIRG State Director Jenn Engstrom in response to the April 4 announcement. “Nothing we use for a few minutes should harm our environment and threaten our health for hundreds of years. That’s why California banned foam foodware statewide. It’s great to see CalRecycle taking action to better enforce this crucial law.”