Melrose Delays Polystyrene Ban As Pandemic Persists

MELROSE, MA — Restaurants will be able to continue using styrofoam takeout containers through at least the rest of the year, city lawmakers said this week. Melrose will push back its ban on polystyrene a year after it was set to take effect.

The polystyrene ban will go into effect Jan. 1, 2022, for retail and food establishments with at least 8,000 square feet of finished floor area and July 1, 2022 for smaller establishments.

Takeout containers have taken on a renewed importance throughout the pandemic. Many restaurants are still only serving takeout as concerns about coronavirus spread persist, and restaurants that are open are limited as to how many people they can seat.

Mayor Paul Brodeur's office said the city needs more time to educate and inform restaurants.

Advocates who pushed for the ban in the first place are siding with the city on the delay, acknowledging the importance of helping restaurants through these fraught times.

"The necessary public health measures have taken a toll on the local business community," ZeroWaste Melrose said in a letter. "We believe businesses will be focused in 2021 on recovery, and that outreach about a new regulation will not be effective until business conditions stabilize."

When the ban is in effect, establishments will be fined $100 on each offense after the first.

Dozens of Massachusetts communities have polystyrene bans in effect. Polystyrene isn't biodegradable or recyclable and is probably carcinogenic, scientists say.

Melrose already has it where single-use plastic bags are banned and plastic straws are available upon request only.

Mike Carraggi can be reached at mike.carraggi@patch.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatchCarraggi. Subscribe to Melrose Patch for free local news and alerts and like us on Facebook.