Phase-out of polystyrene foam

China banned expanded polystyrene takeout/takeaway containers and tableware in 1999, but later revoked the policy in 2013 amidst industry lobbying.{{cite web|author1=Ying Sun, Nina|author2=Toloken, Steve |name-list-style=amp |title=China moves to end its 'ban' on PS food packaging|url=http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20130321/NEWS/130329979/china-moves-to-end-its-ban-on-ps-food-packaging|website=Plastics News|access-date=10 June 2013|date=21 March 2013}} Haiti banned foam food containers in 2012 to reduce waste in canals and roadside drains. In 2019, the European Parliament voted 560 to 35 to ban all food and beverage containers made from expanded polystyrene throughout the European Union member states.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-environment-idUSKCN1R823W|title=EU lawmakers back ban on single-use plastics, set standard for world|website=Reuters }} Canada amended its 'Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999' in 2022 to prohibit foodservice ware made of expanded or extruded polystyrene, and also polyvinyl chloride, black colored plastics, or oxo-degraded plastics. {{cite web |title=Other Plastic Manufactured Items |date=20 June 2023 |url=https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2022-138/page-1.html#h-1354057}}

[[File:Polystyrene foam legislation.svg|upright=4|left|thumb|Phase out of polystyrene foam around the world (laws passed but not yet in effect are not shown on map)

{{legend|#48ab06|Polystyrene foam banned}}

{{legend|#FF6600|Partial ban}}]]

{{clear}}

In Australia, over 97% of the population live in an area that bans expanded polystyrene. Between 2021-2023, the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, and Western Australia enacted bans. {{cite web |title=Single-use plastics|date=4 February 2025 |url=https://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/recycling-and-waste/single-use-plastics}}{{cite web |title=Single-use plastic guidance for industry (food service ware items)|date=October 2022 |url=https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/-/media/epa/corporate-site/resources/plastics/22p4101-single-use-plastic-guidance-industry-food-service-ware-items.pdf}}{{cite web |title=Single-use plastic items ban|date=1 September 2023 |url=https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/manufacturing-retail/retail-wholesale/single-use-plastics-ban}}{{cite web |title=BANNED ITEMS 2022|url=https://www.replacethewaste.sa.gov.au/banned-items-2022}}{{cite web |title=Single-use plastics ban applies 1 February 2023|date=31 January 2023 |url=https://business.vic.gov.au/news-and-updates/2023/single-use-plastics-ban-applies-1-february-2023#:~:text=From%201%20February%202023%2C%20problematic,use%20plastic%20items%20in%20Victoria.}}{{cite web |title=WA Plan for Plastics single-use plastic bans 2022-25|date=November 2023|url=https://plasticsbanwa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/WA-Plastics-Ban-Guide-for-Businesses-FINAL.pdf}}

Nigeria's states of Lagos and Abia introduced bans in January 2024, with an initial transition period of three weeks.{{cite web |title=Nigeria's Polluted Economic Hub Lagos Bans Styrofoam, Plastics|date=22 January 2024 |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/nigeria-s-polluted-economic-hub-lagos-bans-styrofoam-plastics-1ba3cd35}} The state of Oyo introduced a ban in March 2024.{{cite web |title=Oyo govt joins Lagos, declares ban on use of Styrofoam for food|date=11 March 2024 |url=https://dailypost.ng/2024/03/11/oyo-govt-joins-lagos-declares-ban-on-use-of-styrofoam-for-food/}}

Municipal bans in the Philippines are in effect in Bailen,{{cite web |title=Plastics, styrofoam banned in Cavite town|website=The Manila Times |date=24 October 2023 |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/10/24/regions/plastics-styrofoam-banned-in-cavite-town/1916091}} Boracay,{{cite web |title=Boracay reopening: Disposable plastic items banned|date=10 September 2018|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1030090/boracay-reopening-disposable-plastic-items-banned}} Caloocan,{{cite web |title=Caloocan joins LGUs banning plastic|date=31 October 2013|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/517489/caloocan-joins-lgus-banning-plastic}} Cordova,{{cite web |title=Cordova to ban single-use plastic and styrofoam food containers|date=29 January 2023|url=https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/486699/cordova-to-ban-single-use-plastic-and-styrofoam-food-containers}} El Nido,{{cite web |title=Calls mount for stricter implementation of anti-plastics law in El Nido|date=February 2019 |url=https://palawan-news.com/calls-mount-for-stricter-implementation-of-anti-plastics-law-in-el-nido/}} Las Piñas,{{cite web |title=Las Piñas follows neighbor in enforcing ban on plastics|date=13 January 2012|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/127607/las-pinas-follows-neighbor-in-enforcing-ban-on-plastics}} Makati,{{cite web |title=Makati set to implement plastic ban starting June 20|date=29 May 2013|url=https://www.spot.ph/the-feed/53546/makati-set-to-implement-plastic-ban-starting-june-20}} Mandaluyong City,{{cite web |title=Mandaluyong to implement total ban on plastic bags in 2014|date=17 December 2013|url=https://www.eco-business.com/news/mandaluyong-implement-total-ban-plastic-bags-2014/}} Muntinlupa,{{cite web |title=MMDA Chairman Commends Muntinlupa for Anti-Plastic and Styrofoam Measure|date=21 January 2011|url=https://mmda.gov.ph/index.php/18-news/news-2011/390-mmda-chairman-commends-muntinlupa-for-anti-plastic-and-styrofoam-measure}} Quezon City,{{cite web |title=Plastic Bags and Single-Use Plastics Ban in Quezon City|date=21 March 2021|url=https://ce.acsdsd.org/knowledge/plastic-bags-and-single-use-plastics-ban-in-quezon-city/#:~:text=According%20to%20City%20Ordinance%202876,%2C%20straws%2C%20and%20coffee%20stirrers}} and Tacloban.{{cite web |title=Tacloban bans plastic, styrofoam| website=Philippine News Agency |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1216406#:~:text=TACLOBAN%20CITY%20%E2%80%93%20The%20city%20government,effect%20on%20January%201%2C%202024}}

In the United Arab Emirates, the municipal government of Dubai announced a ban affecting polystyrene in 2025, and all single-use plastic food containers in 2026.{{cite web |title=Single use plastic bags and products banned from January 1, 2024 in Dubai|date=31 December 2023 |url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/environment/single-use-plastic-bags-and-products-banned-from-january-1-2024-in-dubai-1.100173017}}

[[File:Polystyrene foam legislation in the United States (updated).svg|right|thumb|300px|Polystyrene foam legislation in the United States

{{legend|#48ab06|Polystyrene foam banned}}

{{legend|#820782|Local bans on polystyrene}}

{{legend|#d4d4d4|No legal restrictions}}]]

As of May 2025, 12 U.S. states and two territories have passed statewide legislation to explicitly ban polystyrene foam:

• In 2019, Maryland was the first state to enact a ban, which went into effect on October 1, 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/local/305/2020/10/01/919068692/maryland-will-ban-styrofoam-starting-oct-1 |title=Maryland Will Ban Styrofoam Starting Oct. 1 |publisher=NPR |accessdate=2021-10-26}} Bans were also passed that year in Maine and Vermont, with both states' laws taking effect on July 1, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/maine/articles/2021-06-25/maines-ban-of-polystyrene-foam-takes-effect-on-july-1 |title=Maine's Ban of Polystyrene Foam Takes Effect on July 1 |publisher=U.S. News |accessdate=2021-10-26}}{{cite web|url=https://dec.vermont.gov/content/single-use-products-law |title=Single-Use Products Law |publisher=Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation |accessdate=2021-11-01}}
• In 2020, New York passed a ban that took effect on January 1, 2022, while New Jersey passed a ban that took effect on May 4, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://13wham.com/news/local/state-ban-on-some-products-to-take-effect-new-years-day |title=State ban on some materials to take effect New Year's Day |date=22 October 2021 |publisher=WHAM-TV |accessdate=2021-10-27}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.gov/dep/newsrel/2021/21_0505.htm |title=NEW JERSEY'S BAN ON SINGLE-USE PLASTIC PRODUCTS TAKES EFFECT IN ONE YEAR |publisher=New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection |accessdate=2021-11-01}}
• In 2021, Colorado passed a ban that took effect on January 1, 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2021/06/08/plastic-bag-polystyrene-ban-colorado-legislature/ |title=Colorado lawmakers OK ban on single-use plastic bags, polystyrene in stores |date=8 June 2021 |publisher=The Denver Post |accessdate=2021-11-02}} Virginia passed a ban on polystyrene food containers coming into force in July 2025 (for larger businesses) and July 2026 (for businesses with less than 20 locations). Washington also passed a polystyrene ban, effective starting in June 2023, with food serviceware prohibited starting June 1, 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.kuow.org/stories/washington-bans-polystyrene-foam-and-clamps-down-on-other-plastics|title=Washington state bans polystyrene foam, clamps down on other plastics|date=20 May 2021 |accessdate=2022-09-23}}
• In 2023, Delaware, Oregon and Rhode Island all signed bans into law. Provisions in Oregon and Rhode Island took effect on January 1, 2025, with Delaware's statute entering into force in July 2025.{{cite web|url=https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Measures/Overview/SB543|title=SB 543 Enrolled}}{{cite web|url=http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText23/SenateText23/S0014B.pdf|title=2023 – S 0014 SUBSTITUTE B}}{{cite web|url=https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail/130016|title=Senate Bill 51}}
• In 2025, California de jure banned polystyrene as a result of the state's legislature passing the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act (SB54) in June 2022. {{cite web|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB54|title=SB-54 Solid waste: reporting, packaging, and plastic food service ware}} The law codifies extended producer responsibility (EPR) requirements for plastics, including a requirement that polystyrene be banned if recycling rates do not reach 25% by 2025. Recycling rates averaged 6% at passage, leading some to call the law a 'de facto ban', anticipating an inability to comply.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/newsletter/2022-07-01/essential-california-lawmakers-plastic-pollution-bill-essential-california|title=Newsletter: California lawmakers put the brakes on plastics. What does it mean for the rest of us?|website=Los Angeles Times |date=July 2022 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2022/07/01/1109289220/california-rules-reduction-plastics|title=California sets the nation's toughest rules for the reduction of plastics|website=NPR |date=July 2022 }} In May 2025, the state's recycling and waste management agency, CalRecycle, indicated in its biennial report to the legislature that EPS producers were "prohibited from selling, offering for sale, distributing, or importing EPS food service ware", with similar language used in a listserv bulletin distributed in April 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/Publications/Download/1938|title=SB 54 Report to the Legislature }}{{cite web|url=https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/CALRECYCLE/bulletins/3da823d|title=Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Food Service Ware}}
• Washington, D.C. banned polystyrene foam takeout containers on January 1, 2016. The ban was expanded on January 1, 2021, to include the retail sale of polystyrene foam.{{cite web|url=https://doee.dc.gov/foam |title=Foam Free DC |publisher=DC.gov |accessdate=2021-11-01}}
• American Samoa banned the import, sale, and distribution of polystyrene foam containers on February 6, 2024, taking effect 60 days later.{{cite web|url=https://www.samoanews.com/local-news/governor-signs-polystyrene-foam-container-ban-law|title=Governor signs "Polystyrene Foam Container Ban" into law|date=12 February 2024}}

In Hawaii, a de facto ban is in effect after every county enacted polystyrene bans except state-administered Kalawao County. Bans in Hawaii County took effect July 2019, followed by Kauai County, Maui County, and Honolulu County in 2022.{{cite web|url=https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/Weblink/0/doc/942537/Page1.aspx|title=Ordinance No. 17-63}}{{cite web|url=https://www.kauai.gov/files/assets/public/public-works/documents/ordinance-1079-polystyrene-ban.pdf|title=Ordinance 1079}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mauicounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/114228/Polystyrene-Ban-Ordinance-No-4457|title=Ordinance No. 4457: Polystyrene Foam Food Containers}} Maui separately banned polystyrene foam coolers, and the sale or rental of disposable bodyboards in 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.mauicounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/121744/Ord-5084#:~:text=C.-,%5BPolystyrene%20foam%20food%20service%20containers%20shall%5D%20Plastic%20disposable%20foodware%20must,or%20sold%20in%20the%20County.|title=Ordinance No. 5084}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mauicounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/128944/Ord-5236|title=Ordinance No. 5326: Disposable Bodyboards}}

Local bans have been enacted elsewhere, including in many large and small cities within the US:

• Alaska — In Alaska, the towns of Bethel, Cordova, and Seward have enacted bans.{{cite web|url=https://bethel.municipal.codes/BMC/8.12 |title=Chapter 8.12 PLASTIC BAGS AND POLYSTYRENE CONTAINERS}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cityofcordova.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Ordinance-1137-sub-adopting-8.37-governing-use-of-plastic-bags.pdf|title=City of Cordova, Alaska Substitute Ordinance 1137}}{{cite web|url=https://library.municode.com/ak/seward/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CD_ORD_TIT9HESA_CH9.35PLBAPOCO_9.35.010DE|title=Chapter 9.35. Plastic Bags and Polystyrene Containers}}
• California — Prior to implementation of statewide prohibitions under SB54, at least 128 cities in California had an existing polystyrene ban in some form, some with stricter provisions than state requirements.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2022-06-30/california-new-law-phase-out-single-use-plastics-containers|title=Newsom signs nation's most sweeping law to phase out single-use plastics and packaging waste|work=Los Angeles Times|date=30 June 2022|accessdate=2022-09-23}} 12 counties — namely Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Marin, Mendocino, Monterey, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Sonoma have bans affecting the general public. Additionally, 28 municipalities in other counties, namely Arcata, Camarillo, Carlsbad, Carpinteria, Dana Point, Davis, Del Mar, Encinitas, Goleta, Imperial Beach, Laguna Beach, Nevada City, Newport Beach, Oceanside, Ojai, Oxnard, Palm Springs, Port Hueneme, San Clemente, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Solana Beach, South Lake Tahoe, Thousand Oaks, Truckee, Ventura, Vista, and Yountville have bans. Together these laws cover over 20.6 million people, or about 53% of the state's population. The city of Berkeley passed the nation's first polystyrene foodware ban in 1988, while also requiring all disposable foodware to be degradable or recyclable.
• Connecticut — Hamden, Groton,{{cite web|url=https://ecode360.com/37657936|title=Chapter 199 Polystyrene Container Restriction}} Norwalk,{{cite web|url=https://ecode360.com/34844752|title=Article II Use and Sale of Polystyrene Products}} Stamford,{{cite web|url=https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/Stamford-mayor-signs-ban-on-foam-containers-that-15669895.php#:~:text=STAMFORD%20%E2%80%94%20Mayor%20David%20Martin%20has,perhaps%20its%20best%2Dknown%20form.|title=Stamford mayor signs ban on foam containers that starts in April|date=22 October 2020 }} and Westport{{cite web|url=https://www.westportct.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/20823/637057154234870000|title=Chapter 46: Solid Waste Management Article VII: Single Use Plastic Food Service Product}} have all enacted bans. Hamden enacted the state's first ban in 1989, and continues to retain its original ordinance.{{cite web|url=https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/hamden/latest/hamden_ct/0-0-0-6083|title=§ 122.02 PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS; UTENSILS AND CONTAINERS TO BE OF POLYSTYRENE}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/13/nyregion/hamden-is-first-town-to-ban-plastic-foam.html|title=Hamden Is First Town to Ban Plastic Foam|work=The New York Times |date=13 August 1989 |last1=McCarthy |first1=Peggy }}
• Georgia — South Fulton banned single-use plastics in 2019.{{cite web|url=https://library.municode.com/ga/south_fulton/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PT2COOR_TIT14EN_CH12SIEPLRE_S14-12001CIDEPR|title=CHAPTER 12. - SINGLE-USE PLASTICS REGULATIONS}} Atlanta banned polystyrene at city-owned buildings, including Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.{{cite web|url=https://atlantacityga.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=SplitView&MeetingID=3020&MediaPosition=&ID=18901&CssClass=|title=City of Atlanta Georgia Ordinance 19-O-1418}}
• Illinois — Oak Park{{cite web|url=https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/oakparkil/latest/oakpark_il/0-0-0-29217|title=20-8-4: POLYSTYRENE FOAM PACKAGING PROHIBITED}} and River Forest{{cite web|url=https://www.vrf.us/uploads/cms/documents/news/signed_ordinance.pdf|title=Ordinance No. 3905|date=11 September 2023}} have enacted bans. In 2023, the state legislature passed a ban affecting state agencies and universities.{{cite web|url=https://ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=103-0470&print=true&write=|title=Public Act 103-0470}}
• Massachusetts — At least 66 municipalities have bans on polystyrene, including Abington, Acton, Amherst, Andover, Arlington, Athol, Attleboro, Brookline, Buckland, Cambridge, Chatham, Chelmsford, Concord, Dennis, Eastham, Easthampton, Essex, Fairhaven, Falmouth, Georgetown, Gloucester, Grafton, Great Barrington, Greenfield, Hadley, Hamilton, Hanson, Ipswich, Lee, Lenox, Lexington, Lincoln, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Marblehead, Maynard, Medford, Melrose, Nantucket, Newton, Northborough, Northampton, Orleans, Pittsfield, Provincetown, Raynham, Reading, Revere, Rockport, Salem, Saugus, Shrewsbury, Somerville, South Hadley, Stockbridge, Sudbury, Swampscott, Upton, Wayland, Wellfleet, Westborough, Westfield, Westford, Whitman, Williamstown, Winthrop, and Yarmouth.
• Minnesota — Minneapolis enacted a ban in 1989, and amended the largely unenforced ban in 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2014/04/16/didnt-minneapolis-ban-foam-packaging-decades-ago|title=Didn't Minneapolis ban foam packaging decades ago?|date=16 April 2014 }}{{cite web|url=https://library.municode.com/mn/minneapolis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_TIT10FOCO_CH204ENPRENACPA#COOR_TIT10FOCO_CH204ENPRENACPA_204.30PRDU|title=CHAPTER 204. ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION: ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE PACKAGING}} In 2017, the city of St. Louis Park effectively banned single-use polystyrene after mandating reusable, compostable, or locally recyclable packaging. Similar bans were later implemented by the cities of Edina, Roseville, and Saint Paul.{{cite web|url=https://library.municode.com/mn/edina/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=SPACOOR_CH20HEEN_ARTXIIGRGOPA|title=Article XII. - Green To Go Packaging}}{{cite web|url=https://cityofroseville.com/DocumentCenter/View/37404/Ord_1681|title=Ordinance No. 1681}}{{cite web|url=https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/safety-inspections/open-operate-expand-business/ongoing-requirements/amending-chapter-236-plastic-packaging|title=Green To Go Packaging Initiative}} In 2009, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe tribal nation passed a resolution seeking to eliminate the use of Styrofoam.{{cite web|url=https://www.llojibwe.org/drm/ordinances/green2009-_Styrofoam.pdf|title=Resolution No. 2009-156}}
• New Hampshire — Portsmouth enacted the first ban in New Hampshire in 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhpr.org/climate-change/2020-12-31/portsmouth-styrofoam-ban-takes-effect-with-little-enforcement-for-now|title=Portsmouth Styrofoam Ban Takes Effect, With Little Enforcement For Now|date=31 December 2020 }}
• New Mexico — Santa Fe and Bernalillo Counties passed bans affecting unincorporated parts of their respective counties.{{cite web|url=https://www.santafecountynm.gov/documents/ordinances/Ordinance_2024-06.pdf|title=Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners Ordinance No. 2024-06|date=26 March 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://library.municode.com/nm/bernalillo_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=BECOCO_CH30EN_ARTXSIEPLBAPOCO|title=Chapter 30 - Environment, ARTICLE X. - SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS AND POLYSTYRENE CONTAINERS}} The town of Taos also enacted a ban.{{cite web|url=https://www.taosnm.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2556/Ordinance-20-05|title=Ordinance No. 20-05}}
• Pennsylvania — The Boroughs of Ambler,{{cite web|url=https://boroughofambler.com/departments/code-enforcement/single-use-plastics/|title=Single Use Plastics Borough of Ambler}} Narberth,{{cite web|url=https://www.narberthpa.gov/information/single-use-product-ordinance/|title=Single-Use Product Ordinance}} Newtown,{{cite web|url=https://evogov.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/meetings/71/minutes/13787.pdf|title=Council Meeting March 12, 2024 }} Phoenixville,{{cite web|url=https://phoenixville.org/DocumentCenter/View/4448/Ordinance-2024-2377-Chapter-10-Health-and-Safety---Plastics|title=Ordinance 2024 - 2377}} Swarthmore,{{cite web|url=https://www.swarthmorepa.org/DocumentCenter/View/2523/Ordinance--04-2023-Single-Use-Product?bidId=|title=Ordinance 4 of 2023}} West Conshohocken,{{cite web|url=https://ecode360.com/WE0554/laws/LF2105814.pdf|title=ORDINANCE NO. 2024-03}} and Townships of Abington,{{cite web|url=https://www.abingtonpa.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/18419/638760908874170000|title=Ordinance No. 2226}} East Fallowfield,{{cite web|url=https://eastfallowfield.org/2015pdf/E.F.Single.Use.Plastic.Ordinance.9.5.2024.pdf|title=ORDINANCE NO. 2024-01}} Montgomery,{{cite web|url=https://www.montgomerytwp.org/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item&id=5835|title= Ordinance No. 23-337}} Newtown,{{cite web|url=https://patch.com/pennsylvania/newtown-pa/newtown-township-enacts-ban-certain-single-use-plastics|title=Newtown Township Enacts Ban On Certain Single-Use Plastics|date=7 December 2023 }} Solebury,{{cite web|url=https://ecode360.com/SO1688/laws/LF1580940.pdf|title=Ordinance No. 2022-003}} Tredyffrin,{{cite web|url=https://www.tredyffrin.org/services/trash-recycling/plastic-bag-ordinance|title=HR-454 Plastic Bag Ordinance}} Upper Merion,{{cite web|url=http://www.umtownship.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Single-Use-Product-Ordinance-2023-890.pdf|title=Ordinance No. 2023-890}} Upper Moreland,{{cite web|url=https://www.uppermoreland.org/DocumentCenter/View/2461/Ordinance-No-1744---Single-Use-Plastic-Ban|title=Ordinance No. 1744}} Uwchlan,{{cite web|url=https://www.uwchlan.com/DocumentCenter/View/957/Plastic-Bag-Ban-Ordinance?bidId=|title=Ordinance No. 2022-06}} West Goshen,{{cite web|url=https://www.westgoshen.org/DocumentCenter/View/1623/Ordinance-No-10-2024---Amendment-to-Chapter-61-Plastic-Bags-and-Plastic-Straws-of-the-Townships-Code-of-Ordinances?bidId=|title=ORDINANCE NO. 10 – 2024}} West Vincent,{{cite web|url=https://westvincenttwp.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Ordinance-No.-208-Single-Use-Plastic-Ban.pdf|title=Ordinance No. 208 Single-Use Plastic Ban}} and Whitpain{{cite web|url=https://www.whitpaintownship.org/DocumentCenter/View/4510/No-416-DRAFT-Single-Use-Plastics-Ordinance?bidId=|title=Ordinance No. 416}} enacted bans.
• South Carolina — The city of Charleston adopted an ordinance in 2018, with the surrounding Charleston County adopting a similar ordinance the year after.{{cite web|url=https://www.charleston-sc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/19987/2018-146-Environmentally-Acceptable-Packaging-and-Products-Ratified?bidId=|title=Number 2018-146}}{{cite web|url=https://www.charlestoncounty.org/ordinances/2000-2099/2085.pdf|title=Ordinance No. 2085}} Municipal bans on polystyrene were also passed in Arcadia Lakes,{{cite act|title=Arcadia Lakes, S.C., Code art. VI, § 6.601|year=2019}} Edisto Beach,{{cite web|url=https://library.municode.com/sc/edisto_beach/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH38EN_ARTIVUSDISIEPLBAPLSTPOCOPOFOCOCU|title=ARTICLE IV. - USE AND DISTRIBUTION OF SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS, PLASTIC STRAWS, POLYSTYRENE COOLERS, POLYSTYRENE FOOD CONTAINERS AND CUPS}} Folly Beach,{{cite web|url=https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/follybeach/latest/follyb_sc/0-0-0-34645|title=CHAPTER 112: SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS, POLYSTYRENE COOLERS, CONTAINERS AND CUPS}} Isle of Palms,{{cite web|url=https://library.municode.com/sc/isle_of_palms/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_TIT3PUWO_CH4ENACPAPR|title=CHAPTER 4. - ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE PACKAGING AND PRODUCTS}} James Island,{{cite web|url=https://www.jamesislandsc.us/sites/default/files/uploads/plastics/ordinance-2018-16-environmentally-acceptable-packaging-and-products.pdf|title=ORDINANCE 2018-16}} Kiawah Island,{{cite web|url=https://www.kiawahisland.org/single-use_plastics___styrofoam_ban/index.php|title=Single-Use Plastics & Styrofoam Ban}} Mount Pleasant,{{cite web|url=https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/mtpleasantsc/latest/mpleasant_sc/0-0-0-126735|title=CHAPTER 53: ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE PACKAGING AND PRODUCTS}} Seabrook Island,{{cite web|url=https://www.townofseabrookisland.org/uploads/1/1/5/0/115018967/ord._2019-08_-_ordinance_banning_the_distribution_of_single_use_plastics.pdf|title=Ordinance No. 2019-08}} and Sullivan's Island.{{cite web|url=https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/sullivansislandsc/latest/sullivansisland_sc/0-0-0-3111|title=§ 132.31 USE AND DISTRIBUTION OF SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS, PLASTIC STRAWS, POLYSTYRENE COOLERS, POLYSTYRENE FOOD CONTAINERS OR CUPS}}

As of May 2025, proposed legislation banning polystyrene has previously passed at least one legislative chamber in three states and one territory.

In Nevada, Assembly Bill 244 passed the state Assembly on April 17, 2025, and the state Senate on May 21, 2025. The bill awaits signature by Governor Joe Lombardo before taking effect. If enacted, retailers with 10 or more locations in Nevada would be prohibited from using disposable polystyrene foodware starting July 1, 2025, expanding to all retail locations by January 1, 2029.{{cite web|url=https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/83rd2025/Bill/12274/Overview|title=AB244}}

In Illinois, the state Senate passed SB 1531 on April 30, 2025, which would prohibit the use of disposable food service containers starting in 2030.{{cite web|url=https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1531&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104|title=DISPOSABLE FOOD CONTAINER ACT}} The bill expands on previously enacted legislation affecting public agencies and universities. The Illinois state House previously passed HB2376 on March 21, 2023, which died when the session ended.{{cite web|url=https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=2376&GAID=17&GA=103&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=147453&SessionID=112|title=HB2376}}

In Montana, the state legislature passed HB 477 in 2025, after being approved in the state House on March 1, 2025 by a vote of 56-41, and the state Senate on March 25, 2025 by a vote of 26-22. On May 1, 2025, Governor Greg Gianforte vetoed the bill, preventing the law's passage.{{cite web|url=https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1971?open_tab=sum|title=HB 477: Phase out polystyrene single use food containers (with exceptions)}} Bozeman citizens separately passed a polystyrene ban through a citizen initiative in November 2024 by a vote of 63%, after supporters of the ballot initiative prevailed in a District Court lawsuit regarding HB407, a state law preempting local single-use plastic bans.{{Cite web|url=https://montanafreepress.org/2024/11/20/questions-remain-as-bozeman-readies-for-ban-on-single-use-plastics/|title=Questions remain as Bozeman readies for ban on single-use plastics|date=20 November 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/environment/citizens-push-to-regulate-single-use-plastics-after-lawsuit-win/article_fc49c646-ed1a-11ee-a051-4b1813dcbc88.html|date=28 March 2024 |title=Citizens push to regulate single-use plastics after lawsuit win }} A Montana Supreme Court ruling in December 2024 overturned the initial District Court ruling, finding that preemptive laws apply to local ordinances, whether passed by municipal governments or citizen initiatives.{{cite web|url=https://juddocumentservice.mt.gov/getDocByCTrackId?DocId=500375|title=DA 24-0324|date=18 December 2024}} A separate District Court lawsuit remains pending, whether local governments have authority to uphold 'clean and healthful environments' as stated in the Montana State Constitution. If enacted, Bozeman's ordinance would have taken effect on May 1, 2025.

In Connecticut, SB 118 passed the state Senate in April 2022, but also died when the session ended.{{cite web|url=https://www.wfsb.com/2022/04/21/ct-senate-passes-bill-that-bans-single-use-styrofoam-trays-schools-restaurants/|title=CT Senate passes bill that bans single-use Styrofoam and trays in schools and restaurants|date=21 April 2022 }}

The territory of the Northern Mariana Islands passed HB21-89 in its House of Representatives in 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.postguam.com/news/cnmi/house-oks-bill-to-ban-foam-food-containers/article_a4ee15c2-402b-11eb-9148-bf5fc187cb14.html3|title=House OKs bill to ban foam food containers}}

• Plastic bag ban
• Polystyrene
• Styrofoam

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

Category:Environmentalism

Category:Foams

Category:Technological phase-outs