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A ban on polystyrene went into impact for small companies in San Diego in April. Polystyrene is an artificial polymer typically colloquially known as Styrofoam, particularly within the U.S.
The transfer means extra prices for small companies in that California neighborhood.
“Polystyrene plastic foam is one of the biggest sources of marine litter and costs the state and local governments millions of dollars each year to collect it from beaches, road sides, and storm drains,” writes Mariel Garza for the Los Angeles Occasions.
Small companies making lower than $500,000 yearly obtained a quick 12 months lengthy exemption. However now the price of eliminating the waste falls on the companies that may afford it least.
A 2013 examine by the American Chemistry Council found changing polystyrene meals containers and cups with one other different represents at the least a 94% value improve for companies. The American Chemistry Council serves as a commerce affiliation selling the pursuits of the American chemical trade. That features firms that at present manufacture and market polystyrene.
Small companies, notably within the meals takeout trade, favor polystyrene for meals service containers. The product stays an inexpensive and sturdy choice. Polystyrene’s insulation properties additionally hold meals and drinks heat.
Most well-liked different supplies advisable by San Diego include ceramic, glass, plastic and paper. The town recommends these supplies for plates, cups, bowls, hinged containers and trays. The town additionally recommends aluminum for trays, hinged containers and wraps.
San Diego turns into one among greater than 130 different California communities to institute a ban on polystyrene foodservice containers and different polystyrene merchandise. The Plastic Air pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Duty Act mandates a ban of the supplies statewide in California by 2025 until recycling charges attain 25%.
Different states which have already banned polystyrene include Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Washington DC and Colorado. States with bans looming embody Washington, Delaware, and nearly all of Hawaii, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Virginia.
Although extra expensive, some small companies nonetheless assist the change.
“If for some chance something flies into the ocean, I’d rather it be a piece of paper than a piece of Styrofoam that’s going to be there for the next 3,000 years,” Bobby Kokinda, proprietor of Ocean Beach Meat Company told KPBS.
Picture: Envato
