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Commission backs resolution supporting broader ban on polystyrene products
Summary
After staff and sponsor testimony and public comment from environmental groups and industry representatives, the Commission voted to support a resolution endorsing a Board of Supervisors ordinance to prohibit sale of certain polystyrene products and packaging, with waivers for infeasible uses.
The San Francisco Commission on the Environment voted to support a resolution endorsing an ordinance that would prohibit the sale and use of a wide range of products made from expanded polystyrene (polystyrene foam).
Connor Johnston (staff to Board President London Breed’s office) presented the legislation as an expansion of San Francisco’s earlier foodware prohibition, saying the proposal would ban cups, plates, clamshells, packing peanuts, coolers, certain marine products and polystyrene packing used for items packaged in San Francisco. Johnston said, “Polystyrene cannot be recycled through San Francisco’s Blue Bin Recycling Collection Program,” and described environmental and health concerns including polystyrene’s persistence and the presence of styrene, which he said is linked to cancer and developmental disorders.
Jack Macy, Commercial Waste Coordinator, described municipal recycling constraints and why polystyrene is not practicably recyclable through curbside collection: food-soiled items and lightweight, highly voluminous polystyrene make recovery cost-prohibitive and operationally challenging. Macy said staff had built waiver provisions for specific medical or shipping uses and a phased approach to help businesses comply.
During public comment, Russell Long (Sustainable SF / Friends of the Earth) and Ethan Tucker (Save the Bay) urged support citing marine litter and available compostable alternatives. Representatives from the EPS Industry Alliance and a manufacturer (Renee Furrow, Trent Norris) urged additional study and argued polystyrene has recyclable applications and critical uses in packaging and biomedical shipping.
Commissioners asked staff about recycling markets and waiver scope; staff said limited drop-off and densification options exist but recovery is minimal in curbside systems. Commissioner Hoyos moved to support the resolution "as amended," the motion was seconded and the commission voted in favor, with the record noting one commissioner absent at the vote. The resolution endorses the proposed ordinance and supports staff work to provide assistance and waivers where feasible.
