SB 568: Styrofoam's short-term convenience, long-term impact

Foam packaging litters our streets, costs taxpayers millions of dollars in clean-up costs, and is the second most common type of debris on California's beaches. It also comprises 15% of the litter in storm drains. SB 568 (Lowenthal) would phase out the use of take-out food containers made of polystyrene (otherwise known as Styrofoam) at food service establishments statewide, except in jurisdictions that recycle 60% of the foam foodware used locally. Despite massive spending on lobbying by the chemical and plastic groups, SB 568 passed the Senate with bipartisan support; it just fell shy of passage in the Assembly. Undoubtedly, this bill will be recycled.