Charlottesville sets up way to report continued use of styrofoam

The first few weeks of a new fiscal year often come with Virginia residents finding out about new laws that survived the onslaught of the Virginia General Assembly. And sometimes implementation takes a few years.

That’s the case with a bill signed into law in 2021 by then-Governor Ralph Northam that bans the use of styrofoam as food containers. The second and final phase of a prohibition on expanded polystyrene (EPS) took effect on July 1 and no food vendor can use the materials to convey their product unless they get the city to approve an exception.

“Vendors may apply for an exemption if compliance would impose an undue economic hardship,” reads a dedicated website called Foam Free Charlottesville

There is another exception according to the a press release sent out by the city on July 9.

“Raw, uncooked food sold for home preparation is not included,” reads the release.

The release also provides a way for people to report violations and other concerns about the prohibition. Take a look here.

The group Clean Virginia Waterways has set up a website with more resources on alternatives and justifications for the ban.

“Unfortunately, plastic foam often contains harmful chemicals that leach into our food and our environment, and easily breaks into smaller pieces that pollute our environment,” reads the website.

If you are looking for more resources, take a look at the website set up by the VIrginia Department of Environmental Quality.

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