Where Foam Bans Stand in the Fight for Zero Waste

Last month, the city of San Francisco approved the nation’s strictest ban on polystyrene to date. The plastic material, often confused with the trademarked brand Styrofoam, is commonly found in items such as foam coffee cups and clamshells. Although a 2007 ordinance already requires San Francisco food vendors to use recyclable to-go containers instead of polystyrene, the city’s new ban also prohibits products like packing peanuts, egg cartons, and meat trays.

At first glance, the decision to eliminate polystyrene across San Francisco seems like a no-brainer. The material can take centuries to decompose, clog landfills and waterways, and pose a threat to birds and marine life. It’s also quite expensive for cities like San Francisco to round up each and every discarded cup and clamshell—and even then, many items are contaminated with food debris, making them difficult to recycle.