Over the past few years, several cities have banned the use of styrofoam products. Last year, DART Industries claimed recycling was achievable and safe, and the ban was postponded in New York City. On February 29, 2016, Eric Goldstein wrote a blog post about a call to move forward with the ban. You can read the blog post here.
Although cities around the U.S. are making movements with this ban, the Lehigh Valley has been lacking action.
According to Groundswell, this list of cities below have either completely or partially banned styrofoam food service products, and some have also banned other styrene (non-foam) products.
- CA — over 65 cities and counties, including Los Angeles County & San
Francisco - Portland, OR (and several other Oregon cities)
- Takoma Park, MD
- Minneapolis, MN
- Washington DC
- Seattle, WA
- Miami Beach, FL
- Freeport, ME
- Portland, ME
- Nantucket (City & County), MA
If all of these cities are taking action to ban styrofoam and other products like it, why isn’t the Lehigh Valley?
There are so many ways for communities in all parts of the Lehigh Valley to begin taking action, but part of this can start from schools. Styrofoam is used a lot in schools for lunches, so eliminating this will help take part in reducing waste.
Other ways to start taking action is by creating and asking people to sign petitions to help ban these products, just like other cities have done. If people want to start smaller, they can eliminate styrofoam use in their homes.
Changes won’t happen easily or quickly, but Lehigh Valley communities can start in the right direction by taking a stand, making the right choices, and making others aware. By joining the many other cities in the U.S., we can begin making a difference and helping the environment.