Polystyrene Foam Rules
Single-Use Items
State rules on expanded polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) cups, takeout containers, and packaging, including statewide bans and preemption of local bans.
How Polystyrene Foam Rules Rules Differ by Place
Revere, MA: Revere Polystyrene Food Ware Ban
Heavy RestrictionsRevere bans food establishments from serving prepared food in polystyrene, PVC or PET containers, and bans retail establishments from selling polystyrene food service ware or foam…
Somerville, MA: Somerville Polystyrene Container Ban
Heavy RestrictionsSomerville bans food establishments from dispensing prepared food in expanded polystyrene (foam) containers, and bars city departments and city contractors from purchasing or using…
Burlington, VT: Polystyrene foam food container ban statewide
Heavy RestrictionsVermont Act 69 prohibits expanded polystyrene foam food and beverage containers at all food service establishments. Burlington restaurants, cafes, and food trucks must use compliant…
Jacksonville, FL: Florida Preempts Polystyrene Bans Citywide
Few RestrictionsFlorida Statute 500.90 and 403.7033 preempt local regulation of polystyrene foam containers. Jacksonville may not ban Styrofoam takeout boxes, cups, or coolers. Restaurants remain free…
Miami, FL: Florida Preempts Polystyrene Bans Citywide
Few RestrictionsFlorida Statute 500.90 and 403.7033 preempt local regulation of polystyrene foam containers. Miami may not ban Styrofoam takeout boxes, cups, or coolers. Restaurants remain free to use…
Orlando, FL: Florida Preempts Local Polystyrene Foam Container Bans
Few RestrictionsFlorida Statute Section 500.90 prohibits Orlando and every Florida municipality from regulating expanded polystyrene food containers, foam coolers, or coffee cups, with limited…
Polystyrene Foam Rules Rules by State
Statewide law governs this topic in many states. Each entry links to that state's full page.
Arizona
Few RestrictionsArizona preempts local bans and fees on polystyrene foam food containers as auxiliary containers under ARS 9-500.38 and ARS 11-269.16.
California
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia restricts expanded polystyrene food containers statewide through SB 54 (2022) packaging requirements under Public Resources Code 42040-42081. The law mandates that…
Colorado
Some RestrictionsColorado prohibits retail food establishments from using expanded polystyrene foam containers for ready-to-eat food and beverages under the Plastic Pollution Reduction Act.
Connecticut
Some RestrictionsSince July 1, 2024, Connecticut prohibits restaurants and caterers from providing single-use expanded polystyrene (foam) food and beverage containers. Enforcement is by state and local…
Delaware
Some RestrictionsDelaware bans polystyrene foam food service packaging under 16 Del. C. Chapter 30Q (Section 3004Q), added by SB 51. Food establishments may not serve ready-to-eat food in foam…
District of Columbia
Heavy RestrictionsWashington DC bans expanded polystyrene (foam) food service products outright. No restaurant, cafe, or food vendor may sell or provide food in foam containers, and since 2021 retailers…
Florida
Few RestrictionsFlorida Statute 500.90 preempts the regulation of polystyrene products by local governments, blocking cities and counties from banning expanded polystyrene foam food containers, cups…
Maine
Some RestrictionsMaine prohibits the sale and distribution of disposable polystyrene foam food service containers under 38 MRS § 1572 (Title 38, Chapter 15-A), the first such statewide ban in the…
Maryland
Some RestrictionsMaryland was among the first states to ban expanded polystyrene foam food service products statewide, prohibiting their sale and use at restaurants, schools, and food packagers under a…
New Jersey
Some RestrictionsNew Jersey prohibits polystyrene foam food service products under NJSA 13:1E-99.126, banning foam clamshells, cups, trays, and similar items statewide effective May 2022.
New York
Some RestrictionsNew York prohibits the sale and distribution of expanded polystyrene foam food containers and loose packing peanuts statewide under Environmental Conservation Law Article 27.
Ohio
Some RestrictionsOhio HB 242's auxiliary container preemption extends to polystyrene foam food containers, blocking local bans on Styrofoam takeout packaging.
Oregon
Some RestrictionsSB 543 prohibits restaurants and food vendors from using polystyrene foam containers and bans the sale of polystyrene foam packing peanuts statewide.
Rhode Island
Few RestrictionsRhode Island has not enacted a comprehensive statewide ban on expanded polystyrene foam food containers, leaving regulation to municipalities while DEM encourages voluntary phase-outs…
Vermont
Some RestrictionsVermont prohibits expanded polystyrene foam food service containers statewide under Act 69 of 2019, effective July 1, 2020 for restaurants and retailers.
Virginia
Some RestrictionsVirginia Code § 10.1-1424.3 phases out expanded polystyrene single-use food service containers: food vendors with 20 or more locations had to comply by July 1, 2025, and all food…
Washington
Some RestrictionsWashington RCW 70A.245 bans expanded polystyrene foam food service containers, packing peanuts, and coolers in phases starting June 2024 to combat plastic pollution.
Cities & Counties with Polystyrene Foam Rules Rules
31 locations
Florida
Texas
Other Single-Use Items Topics
Plastic Bag Rules
Whether plastic carryout bags are banned, taxed, or exempt from local regulation under state preemption.
Plastic Straw Rules
State rules on plastic straws, including on-request-only mandates, full bans, and states that preempt local straw ordinances.
Utensils-On-Request
Rules barring food vendors from automatically including plastic utensils, condiment packets, or napkins unless customers request them.
Plastic Cups
Restrictions on disposable plastic cups, including bans, fees, and reusable/compostable alternative requirements at events and food service.
Takeout Containers
Rules requiring compostable, recyclable, or reusable takeout containers, including LA's polystyrene ban and Customers-Bring-Their-Own programs.