Two years after San Diego halted enforcement of the city’s controversial ban on polystyrene foam food containers and similar products, city officials say they have completed a comprehensive analysis that appears to be reviving the ban.
The 224-page analysis, called the environmental impact report, concludes that there will be a minimal increase in greenhouse gases if San Diego follows through on forcing restaurants and other businesses to switch from foam.
The California Restaurant Association, which filed the lawsuit prompting the new analysis, argues in its litigation that replacing foam with heavier products such as paper would spike greenhouse gas emissions by placing added strain on delivery trucks.
Environmental groups, which strongly support the city’s proposed ban, have called that argument honest and counterintuitive, because the purpose of banning foam products is to protect the environment.
Polystyrene is not biodegradable and is blamed for poisoning fish and other marine life and damaging the health of people who eat seafood. The material continuously breaks down into smaller pieces, allowing it to enter local waterways and be easily consumed by wildlife.
If the ban is reinstated, it will apply to food containers used by restaurants, polystyrene egg cartons, coolers, ice chests, pool toys, dock floats and mooring buoys. Residents will not be able to use the products and retail stores will not be able to sell them.
San Diego law would also make it illegal to distribute plastic utensils or straws, unless requested by the customer.
The owners of several small restaurants who still use foam products to save money argued that the ban was an unfair hardship, and then the restaurant association filed a lawsuit in the spring of 2019 as the ban took full effect.
The analysis just shows that the ban could move forward without fundamental changes, said Heidi Vonblum, the city’s deputy director of environmental and public space policy.
“Even projecting that worst-case scenario, the increase in greenhouse gas emissions is very, very, very minimal,” Vonblum said this week. “Nothing emerged during a more detailed environmental analysis that required changes to what was originally proposed.”
But Vonblum said city officials took a conservative approach to the environmental impact report, saying the ban could have a “potentially significant” impact.
They did not propose mitigation measures or changes to the ban, but they did include in their analysis two alternatives to the city’s proposed prohibition.
One proposal is to impose a ban along with a “codified list” of acceptable alternative materials for use as a substitute for foam products. The second proposal covers that list and will add a fee of 25 cents to businesses for every single-use cup they use.
Vonblum said the last statute the city passed could change if new ideas or new creative solutions emerge during the final approval process, which is likely to take place this spring.
The environmental impact report was released for public review December 10, launching a 45-day comment period ending January 24. City officials must then respond to these comments and provide the final EIR to the City Council for approval.
Alex Ferron, chairman of the San Diego Surfrider Foundation, said Friday it was frustrating to see San Diego’s polystyrene ban stalled for so long when more than 100 other California cities have bans.
San Diego, the largest city in the state to enforce the ban, is the first and only city to face lawsuits for not filing an environmental impact report.
Restaurant associations, a statewide lobbying group, have managed to delay implementation of the ban by nearly three years, in part because of the COVID-19 delay.
“They tried to kick the can in the street and they did it at the perfect time,” said Ferron. “Glad to see this finally moving forward. San Diego gets a lot of attention because it’s a big city.”
The restaurant association did not respond to Friday’s request for comment.
Nearly all national and regional restaurant chains have long since stopped using polystyrene in response to lobbying from environmental groups and backlash from concerned customers that foam is not biodegradable.
But many taco shops, pizza parlors, convenience stores and other small businesses continue to use foam products to save money.
To soften the impact on businesses, the San Diego ban includes the gradual implementation of new rules and an opportunity for companies to apply for a waiver. It’s unclear whether the three-year delay would make the board less inclined to be so generous.
Ken Prue, a manager with the city’s Department of Environmental Services, said there had been no outreach to affected businesses during the creation of the EIR.
“It’s kind of about being a holding pattern to determine what the next step is, if anything,” he said this week.
Is Styrofoam worse than plastic?
Styrofoam insulates much more effectively than plastic, meaning your cold drinks stay cold longer and hot drinks stay hotter. Plastic cups are not recommended for hot drinks, and they do not have the insulating properties of Styrofoam.
Which is better, plastic or styrofoam? Generally, Styrofoam is MORE DANGEROUS than plastic to the environment. While both materials tend to contaminate the soil, Styrofoam is worse. Styrofoam is difficult to recycle, which means many people have to throw it in landfills.
Is Styrofoam really bad for the environment?
When used with food products, especially when heated, Styrofoam releases toxic chemicals into food causing contamination that can be harmful to your health. Additionally, when exposed to sunlight, Styrofoam creates harmful air pollutants that landfills contaminate and deplete the ozone layer. .
Why banning Styrofoam is bad?
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) or Styrofoam, is a petroleum-based non-biodegradable foam, which the EPA and the International Agency for Research on Cancer consider styrene a “possible human carcinogen” and “that the material can have serious impacts on human health, wildlife and aquatic environment, and economy.â€
How many years does it take for Styrofoam to decompose?
Styrofoam is not biodegradable and cannot be recycled. According to the University of Washington, Styrofoam takes 500 years to decompose; It’s not recyclable, so Styrofoam glass that goes to landfill will still be there.
Is Styrofoam as bad as plastic?
It is a ‘known harmful substance. ‘ Like all plastics, Styrofoam is a petrochemical; it is derived from petroleum, which is known to cause developmental, haematological, renal, and immunological disorders. … Styrofoam also contains other harmful chemicals, such as benzene.
Is Styrofoam environmentally friendly?
Styrofoam glass – Environmental Impact Styrofoam glass is not biodegradable. Instead of breaking down completely, Styrofoam cups break into small pieces and remain in the environment for hundreds of years. These harmful substances are difficult to clean.
Is Styrofoam bad for your health?
Why avoid polystyrene foam? Polystyrene foam contains the chemical styrene, which has been linked to cancer, impaired vision and hearing, impaired memory and concentration, and nervous system effects…the list goes on.
Why is there a cup shortage 2021?
Disruptions in global supply chains make it difficult for restaurants to find enough straws, iced coffee cups and food containers to take home. Manufacturers pay more for materials, while delays at ports and labor challenges slow their ability to deliver products to customers.
Why is there a shortage of plastic cups? Restaurants are still facing a shortage of food containers, plastic cups and straws. This is a side effect of the labor crisis, supply chain hiccups, and soaring demand. But it was also the result of hurricane Texas, which had a huge impact on the plastics industry.
Why can’t I find Styrofoam cups?
supply chain disruptions and high demand. at the height of last year’s covid season when many restaurants moved to a take away or delivery only model, the soaring demand for foam cups, plates and the like left shortages and not many people running the machines which forced restaurants to get creative.
Why can’t I buy plastic cups?
A shortage of plastic cups, lids and straws has persisted, and when supplies become available, prices skyrocket. The problems initially started as part of the COVID-19 pandemic, when plastic was used to make personal protective equipment (PPE).
Why is there a shortage of foam cups?
Perc Pineda, chief economist for the Plastics Industry Association, told Scripps National News in August that factors contributing to a nationwide shortage of plastic goods included increased demand at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic for healthcare products and single-use items, loss of industrial workers and shortages of raw materials. …
Why is there a foam cup shortage 2021?
Perc Pineda, chief economist for the Plastics Industry Association, told Scripps National News in August that factors contributing to a nationwide shortage of plastic goods included increased demand at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic for healthcare products and single-use items, loss of industrial workers and shortages of raw materials. …
Why can’t I buy plastic cups?
A shortage of plastic cups, lids and straws has persisted, and when supplies become available, prices skyrocket. The problems initially started as part of the COVID-19 pandemic, when plastic was used to make personal protective equipment (PPE).
Why is there a cup shortage?
Shortage of Takeout Boxes and To-Go Cups Is A Recent Supply Chain Problem in the Restaurant Industry. The demand for take-out has increased while the logistics problems triggered by the pandemic have made supplies harder to come by. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has created all kinds of shortages.
What are the pros and cons of Styrofoam?
The use of Styrofoam or other foamed polystyrene products is a personal choice. If used properly, it is an economical sanitary product, with low environmental risk. However, used inappropriately, it can quickly become an unsightly environmental nuisance and have potential health risks.
Is Styrofoam bad for your health? Why avoid polystyrene foam? Polystyrene foam contains the chemical styrene, which has been linked to cancer, impaired vision and hearing, impaired memory and concentration, and nervous system effects…the list goes on.
What are the disadvantages of Styrofoam?
Polystyrene Fact Sheet: 8 reasons to ban Styrofoam
- It is a ‘known harmful substance. …
- It dissolves into food and drink. …
- It’s in the air and on your skin. …
- It’s poisonous just to make it. …
- This is the ‘waste principle’ – meaning it is everywhere. …
- Still depleting the ozone layer. …
- Just like oil, there are spills.
Why should Styrofoam be banned?
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) or Styrofoam, is a petroleum-based non-biodegradable foam, which the EPA and the International Agency for Research on Cancer consider styrene a “possible human carcinogen” and “that the material can have serious impacts on human health, wildlife and aquatic environment, and economy.â€
Is Styrofoam really that bad?
Food in Styrofoam containers can be contaminated by chemicals that leach into the food, which affects human health and the reproductive system. This is highlighted when people reheat food while it is still in the container. A research study shows that styrene can be released from EPS.
Why should Styrofoam be banned?
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) or Styrofoam, is a petroleum-based non-biodegradable foam, which the EPA and the International Agency for Research on Cancer consider styrene a “possible human carcinogen” and “that the material can have serious impacts on human health, wildlife and aquatic environment, and economy.â€
Why is Styrofoam bad for the economy?
Styrofoam increases recycling costs by as much as $20 per tonne, as it must be discarded. “Something we know is damaging to the environment, costs taxpayers money, and is easy to replace, is something we can do without.
Why should we not use Styrofoam?
When used with food products, especially when heated, Styrofoam releases toxic chemicals into food that cause contamination that can be hazardous to your health. In addition, when exposed to sunlight, Styrofoam produces harmful air pollutants that contaminate landfills and deplete the ozone layer.