Minneapolis and several Hennepin County cities prohibit expanded polystyrene foam takeout containers, requiring recyclable or compostable alternatives at restaurants and food service operations.
Minneapolis was an early Hennepin County adopter of an expanded polystyrene foam ban for food packaging, requiring restaurants and food service operations to use recyclable or compostable alternatives. St. Louis Park and several other Hennepin cities followed. Hennepin County itself encourages compostable packaging through its organics recycling program. State law does not preempt local foam packaging rules. Operators must source compliant containers, label compostable items where required, and maintain receipts for inspection. The rules generally exempt prepackaged food and meat trays.
Using prohibited foam packaging in food service can result in city food-license citations, fines, and required corrective action plans during routine inspections.
See how Hennepin County's polystyrene foam rules rules stack up against other locations.
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