City Styrofoam Bans Send Food Packaging Industry Scrambling

More than 30 cities and counties in California have passed some form of a ban on the use of polystyrene containers, and a new state law under consideration, AB 1358, would ban the use of polystyrene foam and non-recyclable food containers statewide.

1 minute read

June 29, 2009, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


The article contains an interview with Frank Liesman, assistant chief counsel for Dart Container Corp., who presents the food packaging industry's side of the argument:

"There hasn't been enough emphasis on the recycling of polystyrene foam due to market conditions and the low-cost of virgin resin to produce these products. However, as these issues have been raised -most especially in California-we at Dart have looked to establish an infrastructure, through our company's efforts and by working with our trade group, to have recycling as a more viable and available option to individual consumers and municipalities."

"We partnered with, for example, Tracy, California and Roseville, California, giving them commercial-sized densifiers that will allow them to compact and densify the foam that is dropped off by the citizens of those cities. In turn, we have made arrangements to find homes for that recycled foam. Now, this could be not only just food packaging of that foam, but if you buy a new T.V. or computer, for example, you will have some of that foam packaging in the box. A consumer or citizen in those cities can drop off that material in Tracy and Roseville. It will be densified, shipped off, and recycled into another product."

Friday, June 26, 2009 in The Planning Report

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today