Massachusetts has not enacted a statewide polystyrene ban, but dozens of cities and towns prohibit foam food containers, and state procurement rules limit foam in agency purchases.
Massachusetts allows municipalities to restrict expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam containers for food service, and over 70 cities and towns including Boston, Cambridge, and Amherst have done so. State procurement policies under Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs guidelines limit agency purchases of EPS products. Statewide bills to ban polystyrene have been introduced but not passed. Local ordinances typically cover food service ware but exempt prepackaged retail foods, with phased compliance dates and small business exemptions.
Local fines range from $100 to $300 per day for non-compliant retailers, with most ordinances providing warning periods before assessment of penalties.
New Bedford, MA
New Bedford regulates noise through its general ordinance provisions and MassDEP 310 CMR 7.10. Habitual barking or noise that disturbs a neighborhood is decl...
New Bedford, MA
New Bedford declares habitual barking dogs a public nuisance under the city ordinance. The keeping of any dog which by habitual howling, yelping, barking or ...
New Bedford, MA
New Bedford regulates construction noise under its general ordinance provisions. Construction activities that create excessive noise and disturb the neighbor...
New Bedford, MA
New Bedford enforces snow emergency parking bans during winter storms under Chapter 23 of the Code of Ordinances. During a snow ban, parking is allowed on th...
New Bedford, MA
New Bedford restricts heavy traffic and commercial vehicle parking in designated zones under §23-23 of the Code of Ordinances. Commercial vehicles must compl...
New Bedford, MA
New Bedford's zoning ordinance Chapter 9 regulates off-street parking and driveways. Parking in front of public or private driveways is prohibited. Off-stree...
See how New Bedford's polystyrene foam rules rules stack up against other locations.
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