New York City Discloses Polystyrene Foam Ban Plan; Protests Resume

Allan Gerlat, News Editor

June 13, 2013

1 Min Read
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New York City lawmakers announced a bill to ban polystyrene foam for food products, prompting renewed protests from opponents.

Local restaurant owners and business leaders held a press conference to express their concern about the ban, which they claim will do little to reduce solid waste and could cost the state nearly $100 million, according to a news release.

The proposal is supported by Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

“Foam can and should be recycled, and I urge the mayor to work with the council to explore this option instead of a ban,” said City Council Member Peter Vallone.  
The opponents sited a new study by Sonoma, Calif.-based Moore Recycling Associates reporting that access to polystyrene foam foodservice recycling has expanded more quickly than the recycling of alternative products.

 

About the Author

Allan Gerlat

News Editor, Waste360

Allan Gerlat joined the Waste360 staff in September 2011 as news editor. He was the editor of Waste & Recycling News for the first 16 years of its history, and under his guidance the publication won 27 national and regional awards.

Before Waste & Recycling News, Allan worked at another Crain Communications publication, Rubber & Plastics News, which covers rubber product manufacturing. He began with the publication as associate editor and eventually became managing editor, a position he held for nine years.

Allan is a graduate of Ohio University, where he earned a BS in journalism. He is based in Sagamore Hills, in northeast Ohio.

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