Westborough To Hold Hearing On Proposed Polystyrene Reduction

WESTBOROUGH, MA — Westborough is proposing regulations to keep the town and environment greener. The proposed regulation would reduce the use of Polystyrene, which is a non-biodegradable material commonly used to store and serve food as cups, trays and containers.

The regulation would prohibit restaurants from using expanded Polystyrene to serve prepared food. When expanded, Polystyrene becomes a solid foam-like structure, commonly called Styrofoam, although Styrofoam is a trademarked term and not the overarching term for the material.

Penalties for violating the proposed regulation would be a $50 fine for the second offense and a $100 fine for the third offense. Restaurants will have 21 days after the date of a violation notice to pay any fine.

The town has scheduled a public hearing for 6 p.m. on Jan. 21 in Town Hall to discuss the proposal and hear comments from the community. Comments may be submitted to the Board before the hearing by regular mail (Westborough Board of Health, 34 West Main Street) or by email to Steven Baccari, Director of Public Health, at sbaccari@town.westborough.ma.us.