“Styrofoam” Food Packaging Ban at Pasadena City Facilities

As part of Pasadena’s commitment to lead by example in protecting the environment, a memo went out on February 5, 2015, to all city employees detailing a polystyrene food packaging purchasing ban effective March 1, 2015.

The memo, sent from the office of the City Manager, stated the following:

• City funds shall not be utilized to purchase polystyrene food packaging items, which includes “Styrofoam™” cups, plates, bowls, meal serving trays and take-out containers.
• The Styrofoam™ food packaging purchase ban applies to all City managed facilities and operations.
• In addition to the purchasing ban, Styrofoam™ food packaging shall no longer be in use at any City managed facility as March 1, 2015.

The purpose of the polystyrene food packaging ban is to reduce Styrofoam™ litter and encourage the use of products that can be readily recycled or composted, or decomposed when land-filled.

Styrofoam™ is a lightweight material that can travel via wind or through storm drains into our wetlands, creeks, and nearby rivers and waterways, where it breaks into small pieces that are mistaken for food by birds, fish and other animals causing illness and death.

Impacts on City programs are anticipated to be minimal since cost effective alternatives are available and many City departments have already switched to non-Styrofoam™ options. City employees have been informed by the office of the City Manager of alternative materials and resources that are preferred.

In October 2014, the City Council adopted the Pasadena Zero Waste Strategic Plan, which sets a goal of achieving zero waste to landfills and incinerators by the year 2040. One of the Zero Waste program initiatives will be evaluating a citywide ban on polystyrene food packaging. Over 80 California cities have implemented similar bans. In the coming months, City staff will begin a collaborative process with community stakeholders to develop solutions tailored to Pasadena.