December 19, 2019
The Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter applauds Governor Andrew Cuomo for his announcement to ban single-use polystyrene (Styrofoam) food containers and packing peanuts as one of his environmental initiatives for the 2020 State of the State.
Building on the single-use plastic bag ban passed in the 2019-20 NYS Budget, the Governor continues to lead on these plastic pollution initiatives.
In April 2019, the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter’s Executive Committee passed unanimously a resolution that supported statewide and local bans on polystyrene foam food containers, plates, cups, and utensils. Polystyrene foam (trade named Styrofoam by Dow Chemical) is a petrochemical product containing many styrenes and benzene. Both chemicals are carcinogenic and are released to foods when heated and through liquids in containers. Polystyrene foam also absorbs toxins, which can be released into food and the environment. Single-use food containers cannot be recycled, are non-biodegradable, and take 500 years to break down under optimal conditions.
Polystyrene packaging and containers comprise over 25% of our landfill refuse by volume. This brittle product breaks down, litters our coastlines and streams, and is eaten by fish and wildlife.
We are grateful to the Governor for taking leadership on this persistent and toxic form of pollution and in working to address and further prevent single-use plastics pollution in New York’s air, water, and remaining wild places.
More on the Governor's announcement here.