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NYC Styrofoam ban takes effect

July 1, 2019

New York City restaurants have officially said goodbye to Styrofoam. The city banned it Jan. 1, but gave businesses six months to comply. Time is up.

The ban mostly affects food establishments using Styrofoam for take-out or large beverages and encourages them to switch to compostable materials, including paper.

Violators must pay $250 for their first offense, $500 for a second offense and $1,000 for third offenses and beyond.

The Styrofoam ban in New York makes it the largest U.S. city to ban the material. San Diego, Miami Beach, Seattle and Washington, D.C. have similar bans. Maine and Maryland will take similar action in the next year or two, and Connecticut may follow.

A variety of restaurants, including Dunkin' and McDonald's are already phasing out the material.