Suffolk County Bans Styrofoam Food Containers & Plastic Straws!
Huge success! In Spring 2019, the Suffolk County legislator adopted legislation banning styrofoam food containers and plastic straws, beginning in 2020! Links to the laws are here:
- Local Law 1112 A LOCAL LAW TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF POLYSTYRENE FOAM CONTAINERS IN SUFFOLK COUNTY
- Local Law 1113 A LOCAL LAW TO REQUIRE SINGLE-USE BEVERAGE STRAWS AND STIRRERS BE DISTRIBUTED IN SUFFOLK COUNTY “BY REQUEST” ONLY
- Local Law 1121 A LOCAL LAW TO PROHIBIT THE DISTRIBUTION OF SINGLE USE PLASTICS IN COUNTY PARKS
WHY: The impacts of plastic and polystyrene waste on our environment are well documented. According to the not-for-profit Ocean Conservancy, “Every year, 8 million metric tons of plastics enter our ocean on top of the estimated 150 million metric tons that currently circulate our marine environments.” As a result, ingested plastic has been found in more than 60% of all seabirds and in 100% of sea turtles species. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), has classified styrene as a probable human carcinogen and the Environmental Protection Agency says the polystyrene manufacturing process is the fifth largest creator of hazardous waste in the United States.
Green Inside and Out is happy to be part of The Suffolk County Single-Use Plastic Reduction Taskforce, which was created in 2018 by Legislator Hahn. The Task Force was established to recommend strategy for reducing the use of plastic products and examine ways to increase recycling so plastics that are used won’t end up polluting our environment.