US states crack down on single-use plastics starting July 1
Several US states implemented new packaging laws on July 1, including expanded producer responsibility requirements and bans on certain single-use items. These laws could have a ripple effect on plastic processors.
Delaware
Delaware will ban restaurants and businesses from serving ready-to-eat food or drinks in polystyrene foam (foam) containers. The legislation also bans single-use plastic coffee stirrers, cocktail sticks and sandwich sticks. Under the legislation, single-use plastic straws may only be provided upon request. Delaware law contains specific exemptions:
• Coolers or freezers used to process or transport seafood;
• Containers for raw, uncooked or slaughtered meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, fruits or vegetables;
• Patients or residents of hospitals and long-term care facilities; • Pre-packaged foods with straws, such as juice boxes;
• Fire companies, health care providers, outpatient health care services, and nonprofit organizations, including religious institutions.
Illinois
In Illinois, hotels with 50 or more rooms will be banned from using small, single-use personal care product bottles. Governor J.B. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 2960 into law on August 9, 2024. The law will apply to all hotels on January 1, 2026.
California, Washington, and New York have passed similar legislation.
Virginia
Virginia's ban on single-use expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam containers will be implemented in two phases: Food suppliers with 20 or more Virginia locations must comply by July 1, 2025, while all other food suppliers must comply by July 1, 2026.
Several states have also reached important milestones with extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs for packaging:
Oregon's Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act, which took effect July 1, requires manufacturers of packaging, paper products, and food service supplies to join producer responsibility organizations (PROs) and provide funding for end-of-life management of their materials.
Minnesota has set July 1 as the deadline for producers to register for its EPR program.
Colorado's Circular Action Coalition has set July 31 as the deadline for data reporting. These laws represent an important step toward holding manufacturers accountable for the environmental impacts of their packaged products throughout their lifecycle.
