BALTIMORE — A ban on expanded polystyrene foam food containers goes into effect in Baltimore City on October 19, 2019 to reduce the amount of EPS foam waste entering the environment.
This new law prohibits the use of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam disposable food-ware. Disposable food-ware includes cups, plates, bowls, trays, clamshell containers, take-away containers, or similar items used for packaging or serving food or transporting small amounts of prepared food.
Fines start at $200 and compliance will be checked by the Baltimore City Health Department during regularly scheduled inspections.
The ban applies to the following food service facilities – including but not limited to:
● Cafes and delicatessens
● Coffee shops
● Convenience stores
● Discount and Dollar stores
● Fast food restaurants
● Food carts or trucks
● Full and limited-service restaurants
● Hospital cafeterias
● School cafeterias
● Congregation facilities
● Supermarkets and grocery stores
Baltimore City says this law does not apply to food or beverages that have been filled and sealed in EPS foam containers outside of the city before the food or beverages were received by a food service facility in the city. This law does not apply to materials used to package raw, uncooked, or butchered meat, fish, poultry, or other seafood for off-premise consumption.
