'Styrofoam' Ban Takes Effect in Annapolis Sept. 1

ANNAPOLIS, MD — As of Sept. 1, all Annapolis food service businesses and grocers are prohibited from using expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam food service products, also known more commonly by the trademarked name Styrofoam.

The Annapolis City Council officially prohibited the use of EPS foam products in October 2018 and gave businesses a grace period to use up their supplies. Starting Sept. 1, businesses found using EPS foam products will be fined $100 for the first offense and $200 for subsequent violations. Anne Arundel County and the State of Maryland have passed similar bans with future effective dates.

The following EPS foam products are banned: cups, bowls, plates and takeout containers, clamshells and trays. The ban impacts restaurants (full, fast and self-service), grocery stores, vending trucks and food carts, and institutional cafeterias and other businesses that sell or provide food for consumption on- or off-premise. Businesses may use containers composed of compostable materials, paper, plant (sugarcane, rice, bamboo), as well as aluminum, and glass.