The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has extended its exemption on polystyrene foam food service products until May 4, 2025. The extension applies to meat and fish trays for raw or butchered meat, including poultry, or fish that is sold from a refrigerator or similar retail appliance, and any food product pre-packaged by the manufacturer with a polystyrene foam food service product.
However, the extended exemption does not apply to disposable, long-handled polystyrene foam soda spoons used when required and used for thick drinks, nor does it apply to portion cups of two ounces or less, if they are used for hot foods or foods that require lids. The ban on these products will take effect on May 4, 2024.
The exemption has been granted due to the absence of cost-effective and readily available alternatives for polystyrene.
For any questions on the extensions, please contact Environmental Specialist Julia Rossi at Singleuseplastics@dep.nj.gov.
Contact: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.