Hoboken Bans Styrofoam In Businesses, Adds Bite To Bag Embargo

HOBOKEN, NJ — Single-use Styrofoam will soon join plastic bags on the list of banned items for Hoboken businesses.

Last week, the Hoboken City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance that prohibits the use of “single-use Styrofoam products” for local restaurants, grocery stores and retailers in the municipality.

According to a statement from the office of Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, Styrofoam – a brand name – is among the expanded polystyrene (EPS) products that are affected by the ban, which aims to reduce pollution on Hoboken’s streets and in the Hudson River, as well as non-biodegradable waste in nearby landfills. Expanded polystyrene is commonly used in “foam” cups, containers and plates.

Hoboken officials stated:

“In 2011, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services added styrene, a chemical found in Styrofoam products, to its list of known or possible carcinogens. EPS isn’t biodegradable and can last in landfills for 500 years or more.”

In addition, the council banned “carry-out plastic bags” on Wednesday, which adds some bite to the city’s single-use carry-out plastic bag ban rolled out earlier this year.

• See related article: What You Need To Know About Hoboken's Plastic Bag Ban

Under the original single-use plastic bag ban, retail and food establishments were permitted to use reusable plastic bags at least 2.25 mils in width, that can carry a minimum of 22 pounds, and can be used at least 125 times, among other regulations.

The reusable plastic bags will no longer be permitted, Hoboken officials stated.

According to Bhalla’s office, Hoboken businesses will have six months to comply with the updated ordinance, drafted by Councilman Jim Doyle, with the Hoboken Green Team and the Department of Environmental Services providing direct outreach to businesses across the city as part of an education effort.

The new regulations are another step in Hoboken’s Climate Action Plan adopted by Bhalla via an executive order earlier this year. The plan calls for Hoboken to become “carbon neutral” by 2050, exceeding the goals of the Paris Agreement.

• See related article: Hoboken Makes Big Pledge To Battle Climate Change On Earth Day

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