Expanded polystyrene, also known as polystyrene (expandable polystyrene, EPS), is widely used in packaging of mechanical equipment, instruments, household electrical appliances, handicrafts and other valuable products which could be easily damaged. It is also used as snack and food packaging. However,styrofoam becomes a major problem of waste disposal because of its properties of light weight, large volume, ageing resistance and corrosion resistance.
According to the latest news about the conditions of market, San Francisco will expand the restriction to some projects such as foam egg trays. And San Francisco will become the widest range of areas in the USA to expand the restriction of expanded polystyrene.
It is reported that San Francisco’s goal is to become a “zero waste” city by 2020 and many other United States cities are also taking actions. New York rejected the ban in the courts last year,but the city is making some efforts to reduce the use of polystyrene. And Washington brings EPS food ban into effect from January 1.
The board of supervisors all voted in June that the ban of expanded polystyrene will be introduced the public in 2017, including packing of peanuts, coffee mugs, cooling systems, toys and ocean buoys.From July 1, 2017, even the foam packing boxes of meat, fish and egg in the supermarket will be removed.
The bill was held in July 12 for a second ballot, a government official said, unless extreme events happens, otherwise the ban will certainly be passed. The bill does not require the mayor’s signature.