Expanded polystyrene ban, the requirement that all takeout food packaging be recyclable or compostable. Title 5, Section 46 of Municipal Code. The ban was expanded to prohibit the sale of all expanded polystyrene products in stores on April 17, 2012.
Details of regulation: Santa Cruz passed an ordinance banning the use of polystyrene products by retail food establishments and in county facilities. The first ordinance regulating the use of polystyrene was passed in 2008, it was further amended in 2012.
Ordinance 5122/4920: Retail food establishments shall not sell, hand out, give away, distribute or otherwise make available for public or customer use prepared food in disposable food service ware that contains polystyrene foam.
County facility food providers may not provide prepared food in disposable food service ware that contains polystyrene foam.
County departments may not purchase, acquire or use disposable food service ware that contains polystyrene foam.
County contractors and lessees may not use disposable food service ware that contains polystyrene foam.
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