Pasadena Citizens Asked to Report “Styrofoam” Ban Violations

Pasadena is asking its citizens to report “Styrofoam” Ban violations (Photo – Composited image of polystyrene by David Lisbona, flickr and ColoradoBlvd.net).

Restaurants and retailers doing business in Pasadena will no longer be able to sell or distribute food that uses Styrofoam™” or polystyrene materials such as cups, plates, bowls, meal-serving trays and take-out containers effective August 22, 2017.

This is the second phase of the City’s polystyrene food packaging ban. The first year’s ban applied only to City facilities, operations and permitted events.

Starting next week, all Pasadena restaurants and food retailers are required to use alternative materials and resources, which may include:

• Reusable service ware that can be cleaned and used multiple times
• Paper plates, bowls and cups
• Corn starch-based and other decomposable products

The City is asking Pasadena residents to report violations to the Pasadena Citizen Service Center by calling (626) 744-7311 or online.  A free smart phone app is also available to use on cell phones or tablets.

Polystyrene or Styrofoam™ materials are lightweight and can easily become litter, blown by wind or carried through storm drains into wetlands, creeks and waterways. These materials do not decompose, but can easily break into small pieces that are mistaken for food by birds, fish and other animals, and, when consumed, can cause illness or death.

Source: City of Pasadena