Cambridge's Foam Container Ban Starts This Week

CAMBRIDGE, MA — The time to invest in a reusable coffee mug is now, or risk finding yourself unprepared for the city's soon-to-start foam cup ban.

Like plastic bags before them, the Cambridge City Council has voted to prohibit the use of polystyrene-based disposable food containers. The ordinance passed unanimously in October of 2015, and is scheduled to take effect this Thursday, Oct. 20.

The ordinance states:

"The City Council hereby finds that the reduction in the use of polystyrene food containers in the City of Cambridge...is a public purpose that advances solid waste reduction and the health of its citizens. Polystyrene food containers are expensive and impractical to recycle and are not biodegradable."

There's an initial grace period for businesses, but those that do not comply within a few months could get slapped with fines of up to $300 per day.

You can read the ordinance in full here.

Photo by m01229, Flickr/Creative Commons