Washington banned expanded polystyrene foam food service containers, coolers, and packing peanuts under RCW 70A.245. Phased restrictions began in 2023 and apply throughout King County. Compostable and recyclable alternatives are required for foodware.
RCW 70A.245 bans the sale and distribution of expanded polystyrene foam food service products, packing peanuts, and recreational coolers in three phases. Foam food containers, plates, cups, clamshells, and meat trays were prohibited starting June 1, 2024 for many items, with packing peanuts banned earlier. King County's Solid Waste Division provides outreach and the WA Department of Ecology enforces. Local cities including Seattle and Issaquah retain stricter foodware requirements such as compostable serviceware mandates that operate alongside the state ban.
Distributing banned foam foodware can result in Department of Ecology warnings, civil penalties, and potential referral to local code enforcement under city foodware ordinances that overlap.
See how Auburn's polystyrene foam rules rules stack up against other locations.
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