States facing steep fast food price hikes under new law
Growing Trend of Banning Styrofoam Containers in the US
A significant number of states and the District of Columbia have taken steps to ban the use of Styrofoam containers in the fast food industry, signaling a shift towards more environmentally friendly alternatives. This move has sparked concerns among restaurant owners about rising costs and potential impacts on small businesses.
Delaware recently joined this growing list of states by implementing a ban on Styrofoam containers in the fast food sector. The decision comes as part of broader efforts to reduce environmental pollution caused by non-recyclable materials. The white, lightweight material has long been favored by restaurants due to its low cost—approximately 14 cents per container compared to biodegradable options that can cost around 25 cents.
Ezell Barnes, owner of a Delaware food truck named Zoagies, expressed concerns about how the new regulation might affect pricing. “It could be something that affects us when it comes to pricing [of our food],” he said. “We already exist on razor-thin profit margins.”
Carrie Leishman, CEO of the Delaware Restaurant Association, echoed these sentiments, warning that the ban could severely impact small businesses. “The stain which this could place on a small business could end so many of them,” she told local media. She also highlighted the potential damage to local ethnic minority communities, emphasizing that the law could exacerbate existing inequalities in the restaurant industry.
Despite these concerns, Leishman noted that most of Delaware’s restaurants were already in compliance with the new regulations. The state’s ban came into effect on Tuesday, following its signing in 2022.
This development is part of a larger national trend. Maine was the first U.S. state to ban Styrofoam in January 2021, after Governor Janet Mills signed the law in 2019. Other states, including California, Oregon, and Rhode Island, have since implemented similar bans, with their restrictions coming into effect on January 1, 2025.
New York also took action in 2019 under former Governor Andrew Cuomo, with the law becoming effective in 2022. A 2024 waste study conducted by the New York City Department of Sanitation revealed a significant decrease in polystyrene waste, with a 54% reduction by weight between 2017 and 2023. The city was also one of the first to ban plastic bags in March 2020, resulting in a 67% decline in usage during the same period.
California, known for its progressive environmental policies, was the first state to ban plastic bags in 2014. It will soon implement an additional law in 2026 that prohibits the sale of thicker “reusable” plastic bags. The state has set ambitious goals, aiming to cut single-use plastics by 25% by 2032 and recycle 65% of what remains. It also plans to transition to recycled plastic in the same timeframe.
Styrofoam presents unique environmental challenges. It takes approximately 500 years to decompose and cannot be recycled like glass or certain types of plastic. Additionally, it releases large amounts of ozone into the atmosphere, contributing to environmental degradation and respiratory issues. According to Colgate University, these emissions can have serious health implications.
Styrofoam is estimated to occupy roughly 30% of U.S. landfills, with approximately 5 billion pounds of the material discarded annually. This highlights the urgent need for sustainable alternatives in the fast food industry.
As more states continue to implement bans on Styrofoam containers, the conversation around sustainability and environmental responsibility is gaining momentum. While these regulations aim to protect the environment, they also raise important questions about the economic impact on small businesses and the feasibility of transitioning to eco-friendly alternatives.