Board grants temporary exemption to school system for Styrofoam ban through Dec. 31, 2025

The Washington County Board of Supervisors approved a temporary local exemption to the Commonwealth’s ban on Styrofoam foodservice items for the local school system, extending the exemption through Dec. 31, 2025.

County staff explained the General Assembly-authorized local exemption process and presented a request from the school nutritionist (Doctor Perrigan) to allow schools to use on-hand Styrofoam supplies rather than immediately switching on July 1, 2025, when the statewide restriction takes effect. Staff’s initial recommendation was a short exemption through Sept. 30, 2025, to let summer programs burn through inventory; a board member proposed extending that to Dec. 31 to provide additional time to find alternatives.

Board members discussed alternatives such as recyclable cardboard and melamine trays for the fall and asked whether the bond of authority existed for a local exemption; staff confirmed localities are allowed to grant a one-year exemption under the legislation. Speaker 7 said the exemption is meant to permit use of surplus inventory during summer programming.

A motion to approve the exemption and extend it to Dec. 31, 2025, was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote, 7-0. Staff advised school officials to pursue alternative, non-Styrofoam serviceware before the extended deadline.