Portland, OR Single-Use Items: Polystyrene Foam Rules (2026)

Portland's polystyrene ordinance dates to January 1990 -- when the City Council prohibited restaurants and retail food vendors from serving prepared food in PSF (polystyrene foam) containers. The current codification is PCC Chapter 17.103 ('Prohibition and Restrictions on Single-Use Plastic'), with PSF definitions at PCC 17.103.100 and the prohibition at PCC 17.103.110. PSF is defined as 'any material composed of polystyrene and having a closed cell air capacity of 25 percent or greater, or a density of less than 0.787 grams per cubic centimeter.' Covered businesses are any restaurant (including sidewalk food vendors) and any retail food vendor (grocery, deli, sales outlet) within Portland city limits. Oregon Senate Bill 543 (2023 Regular Session, Chapter 442), signed May 8, 2023 and effective January 1, 2025, expanded the ban statewide and added two new prohibitions: (a) food vendors may not package prepared food in PSF containers anywhere in Oregon, (b) no person may sell or distribute PSF containers (including loose-fill 'packing peanuts') in Oregon, and (c) no person may sell or distribute foodware with intentionally added per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The state ban is enforced by Oregon DEQ with civil penalties of $100 to $500 per day per violation. Portland's older ordinance is harmonized with SB 543 and the city continues local enforcement through Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability.