Bill > SB568

This bill, an act to add Chapter 6.6 to Part 3 of Division 30 of the Public Resources Code, aims to regulate the use of polystyrene foam food containers by food vendors in California. Beginning January 1, 2016, food vendors will generally be prohibited from serving prepared food, which includes beverages and ready-to-eat items, in polystyrene foam food containers, defined as containers made of blown polystyrene and expanded or extruded foam used for single-use food service. However, the bill provides exceptions: school districts have until July 1, 2017, to comply, and can continue using these containers if they implement a verifiable recycling program that recycles at least 60 percent of their polystyrene foam food containers annually, with this provision renewable for up to five years. Cities or counties can also allow continued use if they adopt ordinances establishing similar recycling programs that achieve a 60 percent recycling rate, also renewable for up to five years. Furthermore, a new provision, Section 42394.5, introduces the concept of "undue economic hardship," allowing individual food vendors to receive exemptions from the ban until January 1, 2017, or for one year from the date of demonstration, whichever is later, if they can prove that compliance would cause significant economic hardship due to a lack of reasonable alternatives. These exemptions can be reapplied for and renewed annually if continued undue economic hardship is demonstrated. The bill also clarifies that it does not prevent local governments from enacting stricter regulations on single-use takeout food packaging.