Last updated on January 8th, 2019 at 04:32 pm
Despite opposition and lawsuits, NYC’s Foam Ban on single-use foam products has gone into effect January 1st 2019.
Here Are 5 things you need to know:
- All food service establishments located or operating within the 5 Boroughs of NYC cannot, use, have, sell, or offer foam food service items.
- The Following Items are Banned
* polystyrene foam single service items – cups, bowls, plates, take-out containers and trays
* “Packing peanuts”- polystyrene loose filling - Exceptions
* Expanded polystyrene containers used for prepackaged food, filled and sealed before they were received.
* Expanded polystyrene containers used to store raw meat, pork, fish, seafood or poultry sold from a butcher case or similar retail appliance. - Alternatives to foam packaging include paper, plastic, aluminum and other biodegradable products. Contact your packaging distributor for details.
- Nonprofits and small businesses with revenue less than $500,000 in gross income could apply for hardship exemptions from The Department of Small Businesses Services (SBS).
Although the ban is effective January 1st, 2019, businesses have a 6 month warning period lasting until June 30th. As of July 1st, fines will be issued to any business found in violation.
