County approves study of countywide ban on polystyrene food containers

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 21, 2010                                                                                                                                    Contact:  Ed Maddox 213-361-6980

                                                                                                                                                                                          James Bolden 213-200-5314

 

BOARD APPROVES FEASIBILITY STUDY OF COUNTYWIDE

BAN ON POLYSTYRENE FOOD CONTAINERS

 

LOS ANGELES – Pointing out the many adverse impacts of Styrofoam products on the environment, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas today was pleased with the Board’s decision to ban the use of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) food containers in County facilities.

The Board also directed the County Chief Executive Officer, ISD and DPW to report back within 12 months on the feasibility of phasing out EPS food containers in unincorporated areas of the County.  “The adverse impacts of Styrofoam are profound. Given its light-weight quality, Styrofoam containers have a proclivity to become litter, even when disposed of properly,” Supervisor Ridley-Thomas said.

EPS is considered an environmental hazard mostly because of its light weight quality which gives it a propensity to become litter and discourages it from decomposing in natural environments. 

 “The County should lead the way in transitioning away from Styrofoam products to products with fewer adverse environmental and economic impacts,” the Supervisor added. “As we move forward, we must also ensure that there is local capacity to divert single use containers from the waste stream through composting or recycling infrastructure.”

Suggesting that the County should be more vigilant in monitoring progress, Supervisor Ridley-Thomas requested periodic updates on the study.

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