Florida Statute Section 500.90 prohibits Orlando and every Florida municipality from regulating expanded polystyrene food containers, foam coolers, or coffee cups, with limited grandfather exceptions for ordinances enacted before January 1, 2016.
FL §500.90 was enacted in 2016 to block the wave of foam-container bans then spreading through Florida coastal cities. The statute prohibits local governments from adopting any ordinance regulating polystyrene products used in connection with food packaging, with a narrow grandfather clause for pre-2016 local rules. Orlando never enacted a foam ban, so it cannot do so now without state authorization. Orlando theme parks, restaurants, and the convention district can use foam takeout containers freely. The city encourages voluntary alternatives via business sustainability outreach and the Mayor's Office of Sustainability and Resilience, but cannot mandate paper, fiber, or compostable substitutes.
Orlando cannot enforce any local polystyrene ban or restriction on foam food packaging. Local rules face preemption challenges under FL §500.90.
See how Orlando's polystyrene foam rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.