The Colorado Plastic Pollution Reduction Act (HB21-1162) prohibits restaurants, schools, and retail food establishments from using expanded polystyrene foam foodware as of January 1, 2024. Boulder enforces the ban locally.
Effective January 1, 2024, Colorado law bans the distribution of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam containers, plates, cups, and clamshells by retail food establishments under HB21-1162, codified at CRS §25-17-507. Boulder enforces the ban through its Climate Initiatives department and the Universal Zero Waste Ordinance (BRC §6-13). Restaurants, school cafeterias, hospital food services, and food trucks must transition to compostable, recyclable, or reusable alternatives. The Cool Boulder program offers technical assistance and discount-purchasing partnerships for small food businesses making the switch. Pre-packaged food sold in EPS containers from manufacturers (such as cup noodles or shipped meal kits) is exempt because the ban targets food-service distribution, not retail packaging from upstream manufacturers.
Continued distribution of EPS foam foodware to customers after the effective date is a violation enforced by Boulder under the state act and BRC §6-13, with warnings followed by administrative fines for repeat offenders.
See how Boulder's polystyrene foam rules rules stack up against other locations.
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