Beginning this Saturday, January 1, the use and sale of all #6 polystyrene (foam & rigid) plastic food service ware will be prohibited in Montgomery County.
Per Montgomery County:
Polystyrene (#6-PS) products, such as foam and non-foam/rigid containers, bowls, plates, trays, cartons, cups, egg cartons, etc. are not recyclable in Montgomery County, Maryland. In 2015, the Montgomery County Council enacted and the County Executive signed Council Bill 41-14. This legislation effectively banned the use and sale of this material in the County. Subsequently in 2020, the County Executive proposed and the County Council enacted Bill 33-20, which clarifies the requirements initially passed in 2015. While the requirements in Council Bill 41-14 remain in effect, the clarifications pertaining to the existing requirements in Council Bill 33-20 also become effective on January 1, 2022.
- Prohibits food service businesses from using any polystyrene (#6 PS) food service ware.
- Prohibits the sale of any polystyrene food service products and polystyrene loose fill packaging (also known as packing peanuts).
- Requires all county agencies, contractors, and lessees to use compostable or recyclable food service ware.
- Requires all other food service businesses to use compostable or recyclable disposable food service ware.
Full text of Bill 33-20 (PDF, 610KB)
Bill 33-20 Fact Sheet (PDF, 455KB)