Los Angeles, the largest city in California, United States, recently passed a bill to ban polystyrene on its territory and goes further by enforcing tighter restrictions regarding the use of other kinds of single-use plastic.
“Today, the second largest city in the nation will send a clear message that expanded polystyrene has no place in our city’s future,” states LA Councilman Mitch O’Farrell.
The new law prohibiting “the distribution and sale of expanded polystyrene products commonly referred to under the trade name Styrofoam” will take effect in April 2023, first impacting large restaurants, bars, and retail establishments with more than 26 employees. And as of April 2024, all other food service businesses will have to comply. In its effort to become a zero-waste city by 2050, Los Angeles also approved other ordinances: encourage citizens to opt for reusable tote bags, strengthen parts of the city’s ban on single-use shopping bags, and force city departments to follow zero-waste operations.
