NY Polystyrene Ban

  • State of the City Address

    Mayor Bloomberg announces his interntion to ban polystyrene from the city: "Now, one product that is virtually impossible to recycle and never bio-degrades is Styrofoam. But it's not just terrible for the environment. It's terrible for taxpayers. Styrofoam increases the cost of recycling by as much as $20 per ton, because it has to be removed.
    "Something that we know is environmentally destructive, that is costing taxpayers money, and that is easily replaceable, is something we can do without.
  • American Chemistry Council releases research

    American Chemistry Council comissions MB Public Affairs to undertake research which claims to show that the cost of packaging would double if the ban was instituted
  • Put a Lid On It website launched

    Put a lid on itAmerican Chemistry Coucil launch website that claims to offer facts about polystyrene and waste
  • NYC announces bill to ban PS

    Local lawmakers in New York City today announced a bill to ban the sale of polystyrene foam foodservice products.
  • Restaurant Action Alliance

    Restaurant Action Alliance formed to oppose the ban
  • McDonalds announces plans to phase-out polystyrene hot beverage cups

    McDonald's Corp. aims to eliminate the use of millions of polystyrene hot beverage cups in the United States following a successful large scale test of paper cups.
  • Dart Container Corp pushes for recycling trail

    Dart Container Corp. pushed for an alternative for the proposed polystyrene ban in New York City during a City Council committee hearing.The committee on sanitation and solid waste management held a seven hour hearing Nov. 25, discussing a possible food service ban for PS or an alternative to start a curbside recycling program. Under the original proposal, the ban would take effect July 1, 2015, but could be halted if the city’s deputy sanitation commissioner determines a recycling alternative
  • Incoming NYC mayor supports container ban

    New York City's incoming mayor Bill de Blasio is no stranger to polystyrene and attempting to stop the use of foam product.And while he had been mostly silent on the proposal by Mayor Michael Bloomberg to ban the use of food service PS in New York City restaurants, de Blasio told reporters recently that he supported the effort. His office did not return requests for comment from Plastics News, but as lawmakers were preparing to debate the issue on Nov. 25, de Blasio told reporters it was time t
  • Dart offers to pay for a recycling trail

    During a hearing for the bill, Dart Container had pushed the City Council to consider the option of curbside recycling of PS. Dart offered to pay for sorting equipment at New York City material recovery facilities, and the material would be taken to a facility by rail to be washed and sold. Dart said Plastic Recycling Inc. would pay $160 a ton for the material in a contract already worked out for five years.
  • NYC council approves ban from July 2016 after 12 month recycling trail

    Previously, the measure would have outlawed food service companies from handing out PS as to-go containers starting July 1, 2015. Under the amendment, the recycling system has one year to prove itself.The city and its recycling partner, Sims Metal Management, will decide if the program is successful.