A Step in the Right Direction: No More Styrofoam in Pasadena!
At Pasadena’s city council meeting last Monday, the city gained unanimous approval for a styrofoam restriction. Everyone knows what styrofoam is, it’s that lightweight white stuff that your take-out food comes in, that your drink comes in. Most of us also know that it’s harmful to the environment. But, few of us know what it’s even made of. Polystyrene is a petroleum-based plastic. In fact, Styrofoam is the trade name for polystyrene.
This city-wide ban, if passed by the City Attorney’s office, will apply to grocery stores, restaurants, farmers’ markets, convenience stores, food vendors, food trucks, groups or individuals that provide prepared foods to the general public, city facilities, events and meetings, and all retailers selling food packaging with the exception of use with uncooked meat, poultry, fish, eggs and fresh produce. This ordinance is expected to be presented later this month.
While many believe that a tighter restriction should be passed, this is a positive step forward for Pasadena. Hopefully, surrounding cities will follow suit. Over 90 cities in California have already put restrictions on styrofoam.
Styrofoam seems to last forever. It doesn’t break down the way other things do. This, along with the fact that it’s lightweight and floats, is the reason why it has accumulated in such high quantities along coasts and waterways. It’s also the main source of marine debris.
In the city of Pasadena, styrofoam accounts for 17% of the litter. Environmental programs manager Gabriel Silva estimates the added costs for restaurants to switch to a styrofoam alternative to be about 4 cents and the city is dedicated to making the change at that increased cost.
Consider bringing a reusable container to eliminate your personal styrofoam use. Find our more about Pasadena’s styrofoam ordinance here. Looking for info about styrofoam pollution? Find it here.
