Stop Polystyrene Foam in California

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styrofoam-california Polystyrene foam, commonly referred to as Styrofoam, makes up 15 percent of the trash that San Diego Coastkeeper volunteers remove during beach cleanups. And the problem worsens--since 2007, the number of pieces we remove has risen to 25,000 each year.

To make matters scarier, researchers listed styrene, one of the primary ingredients of polystyrene, as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” Styrene leaches into food when you heat it or when it comes into contact with oils, grease, or acids from your food.

California State Senator Lowenthal has proposed SB 568, which will ban the use of polystyrene food containers by restaurants effective January 1, 2016. Fifty cities throughout California have already taken similar measures. And the bill would create desperately needed green jobs.

Please take a minute to tell the State Assembly members representing San Diego that you support this bill to reduce polystyrene. And join our local efforts to encourage San Diego restaurants to stop using Styrofoam takeout containters.

Use our sample letter and edit the text to add your personal viewpoint on this issue.

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Please Support SB 568 to Protect the Environment and Our Health

Dear Assembly Members:

San Diego Coastkeeper, the largest professional environmental organization in San Diego County protecting the region’s inland and coastal waters for the communities and wildlife that depend on them, strongly supports SB 568. And so do I. Senator Lowenthal’s bill would enact a statewide ban on foam take-out food packaging for restaurants. And it would help California continue as a leader in green job creation and sustainability policies.

Polystyrene (also known as Styrofoam™) take-out food and beverage containers are used once for a short time before they become waste, and often litter. The impacts are long term because polystyrene packaging is lightweight, floats, and breaks easily into small pieces. When littered, polystyrene is carried from streets and through storm drains out to the ocean. Marine life from the very bottom to the top of the food chain mistake foam pieces for food and polystyrene is the second most abundant form of debris on California beaches.

Polystyrene also poses a risk to human health; styrene, one of the primary ingredients, has been listed by the 12th report to Congress on Carcinogens by the National Institute of Health as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” Styrene leaches into food when heated, or when the polystyrene comes into contact with oils, grease, or acids, found in many foods packaged in polystyrene.

In San Diego Coastkeeper’s beach cleanups in 2010, they found that polystyrene comprises 15% of the trash our volunteers picked up at San Diego’s beaches. And the problem is only getting worse. Over the past three years, the number of pieces of polystyrene our volunteers have picked up increased from 10,000 to nearly 25,000. Now is the time to take action to address this problem. SB 568 is an important step in stemming the polystyrene litter problem.

Polystyrene bans work! In San Francisco, two years after the passage of the polystyrene food-ware ban, a litter study showed a 36% decrease in polystyrene litter. 51 California jurisdictions have already taken action to reduce plastic foam. Rather than seeing a decline in profits, restaurants in these jurisdictions have reported increased business because customers appreciate green alternatives. The demand for polystyrene alternatives has increased by 17% each year, resulting in considerable job growth in the green sector. SB 568 will provide additioned stimulation to the economy, as well as a reduction of foam litter.

San Diego City Hall and the San Diego Unified School District are taking action to reduce the use of single-use bottled water and polystyrene products. Let’s make the effort statewide. San Diego Coastkeeper, and its members like me, support SB 568 and urge you to support this measure to stop foam plastic pollution.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your email address]
[Your mailing address]

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