A ban on Styrofoam containers, bowls, plates, trays, cups and other food-packing items will go into effect Jan. 1 and Montgomery County officials want to prepare local restaurant and cafeteria owners.
The ban on all expanded polystyrene products, which the County Council passed unanimously early this year, also covers loose fill packaging (known to most as packing peanuts).
The law bans the use and sale of the materials in the county and requires all county agencies, contractors and those leasing county space to use compostable or recyclable food service products by Jan. 1.
Montgomery County Public Schools stopped using Styrofoam lunch trays in 2014.
While they won’t be able to use Styrofoam, private food service businesses won’t be required to make the full transition to compostable or recyclable products until Jan. 1, 2017.
The council passed the bill because studies show foam products don’t biodegrade, unlike other trash. The products also aren’t recyclable in the county.
To help with the transition, the county’s Department of Environmental Protection has set up a website and will hold four webinars to educate food service business owners about what is and what isn’t allowed.
The department has also published a long list of vendors that provide acceptable food products. The list is displayed by product type and includes a recyclable cocktail straw, a variety of acceptable burrito bowls (with and without lids) and a quail egg carton that will hold 30 eggs.
Failure to comply with the law starting Jan. 1 could result in a class B civil violation of the county’s code. Each day a violation exists will be considered a separate offense.
