The Baltimore City Foam Ban goes into effect 10/19/19 and applies to all food service businesses.
The Baltimore City Council passed an ordinance in April 2018 banning expanded polystyrene foam food containers in Baltimore City. Below is a series of frequently asked questions and responses to those questions. For further inquiries, please contact sustainability@baltimorecity.gov.
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A ban on expanded polystyrene foam food containers goes into effect in Baltimore City on October 19, 2019 and applies to all food service businesses.
Download the Baltimore purchasing list of foam container alternatives
Please find recycling locations where you can drop off foam products here.
Does this ban apply to me?
The ban applies to the following food service facilities – including but not limited to:
● Cafes and delicatessens
● Coffee shops
● Convenience stores
● Discount and Dollar stores
● Fast food restaurants
● Food carts or trucks
● Full and limited-service restaurants
● Hospital cafeterias
● School cafeterias
● Congregation facilities
● Supermarkets and grocery stores
What products are banned?
This new law prohibits the use of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam disposable food-ware. Disposable food-ware includes cups, plates, bowls, trays, clamshell containers, take-away containers, or similar items used for packaging or serving food or transporting small amounts of prepared food. Any of the above disposable food-ware made of expanded polystyrene foam is prohibited.
What products can I use?
Paper, plastic, aluminum, and compostable containers.
When do I have to stop using EPS foam by?
October 19, 2019.
What happens if I continue using EPS foam?
Fines start at $200.
Who will check if I am using EPS foam?
Compliance will be checked by the Baltimore City Health Department during regularly scheduled inspections.
Why do I have to stop using EPS foam?
The purpose of this law is to reduce the amount of EPS foam waste entering the environment, landfills, and waterways.
What is exempt?
This law does not apply to food or beverages that have been filled and sealed in EPS foam containers outside of the city before the food or beverages were received by a food service facility in the city. This law does not apply to materials used to package raw, uncooked, or butchered meat, fish, poultry, or other seafood for off-premise consumption.