Government at a Glance-2011Government at a Glance-2011

California senate bans Styrofoam


SACRAMENTO, CALIF. — The California senate has voted to ban the use of Styrofoam containers throughout the state. The Senate passed the bill — which would prohibit restaurants, grocery stores and other businesses from packaging items like prepared food in polystyrene foam — by a vote of 21-15. If passed into law, the bill, SB 568, would make California the first state to ban the use of Styrofoam. Currently about 50 jurisdictions throughout the state have Styrofoam bans in place. Restaurateurs and other food vendors would have to comply by Jan. 1, 2016. Schools would have to comply by July 1, 2017. The bill will now go to the state assembly, where it is expected to be voted on by the end of August.


Immigra...