On July 1, 2020, Maryland joined other states in the country to ban Styrofoam in food service businesses, grocery stores and schools. Items made of expanded polystyrene (ex.: cups, plates, bowls, trays, egg cartons, etc.), commonly known as Styrofoam(TM) will be prohibited. This law was enacted by the Maryland General Assembly (Chapter 597, Acts of 2019) to help protect the Chesapeake Bay and other bodies of water from improperly discarded polystyrene products that can last in the environment for a long time and harm our marine life.
Beginning October 1, 2020, the health department will work with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) on observed violations and any regulatory enforcement that may occur.
All food service businesses and schools should now be using an alternative container that is compostable or recyclable.