CCE applauds Governor Cuomo and the NYS Legislature for eradicating environmentally harmful Styrofoam products in New York
For immediate release: April 2, 2020
For more information, contact: Adrienne Esposito, 631-384-1378 aesposito@citizenscampaign.org or Brian Smith, 716-472-4078, bsmith@citizenscampaign.org
Albany, NY—Today, the NYS Legislature passed a ban on Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Foam, commonly referred to as Styrofoam TM, in the 2020-21 SFY Budget. In response, Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE), said:
“This shows true leadership and foresight in protecting the environment amid a public health crisis. Environmentalists, municipalities, and New Yorkers have long awaited ending the scourge of Styrofoam across the State. CCE thanks Governor Cuomo and the NYS Legislature for taking action in protecting our environment from harmful and unnecessary Styrofoam containers and loose fill packaging. Styrofoam is one of the top ten contributors to environmental litter and has long-term negative impacts on our waterways and wildlife. Styrofoam doesn’t breakdown, it breaks apart into small pieces eventually becoming microplastic pollution in our waterways.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Toxicology Program listed styrene, a chemical in EPS foam, as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” It is known to leach from food packaging containers into food or drinks, especially when exposed to heat. No longer will the public unknowingly ingest cancer-causing styrene when they get a cup of coffee or takeout from restaurants.
This ban builds on New York’s commitment to ensuring our environment and public health is safeguarded from disposable plastic pollution. Many New York counties have already banned Styrofoam food containers with widespread support from the public; we applaud the Governor and NYS Legislature for banning Styrofoam containers statewide and raising the bar by including loose fill packaging in the ban.”
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