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Foam ban may put small businesses at disadvantage
Potential ban on plastic foam containers in Corvallis to be presented to city council
Daniel White
Issue date: 11/19/07 Section: News
Today ASOSU will be presenting a proposed ban on products made from expanded polystyrene foam, like styrofoam containers, to the Corvallis City Council.
More specifically, the proposed ban will pertain to plastic foam containers made from petroleum-based materials.
"We want to plant this idea in the minds of the council and the community," said Shayna Rogers, director of environmental affairs at ASOSU.
Expanded polystyrene products are harmful to the environment because they are non-biodegradable and can stay in landfills for thousands of years.
According to the California Department of Transportation, expanded polystyrene products account for about 15 percent of the all the trash that collects in city streets and gutters.
The products are considered to be the fifth largest creator of hazardous waste by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The disposal of expanded polystyrene has environmental consequences. When burned, it releases toxic chemicals into the air.
This leaves landfills as one of the few options for disposal of expanded polystyrene.
Similar bans have been enacted in nearly 100 cities and regions around the country - Portland, San Francisco and Oakland are just a few.
The ban of expanded polystyrene foam products is expected to help the Corvallis community become more eco-friendly.
It will also help cut down hazardous waste around the city and in landfills.
Using alternative products, to those made from expanded polystyrene foam, is not as cost effective for smaller businesses.
Businesses like the North Shore smoothie shop, rely on styrofoam cups on a daily basis.
"No company cares more about the environment than North Shore," said Tim Lesmeister, the owner of North Shore.
Lesmeister wants to see an alternative to one-use cups that will not put him at a disadvantage.
North Shore is currently offering its customers a reusable plastic insulated cup for a one time fee of $1. No alternative, however, has been found for disposable cups.
The proposal for the ban is being held today at 7 p.m.
The meeting will be held at the fire station at 400 NW Harrison Blvd.
Students and community members are encouraged to participate.
More specifically, the proposed ban will pertain to plastic foam containers made from petroleum-based materials.
"We want to plant this idea in the minds of the council and the community," said Shayna Rogers, director of environmental affairs at ASOSU.
Expanded polystyrene products are harmful to the environment because they are non-biodegradable and can stay in landfills for thousands of years.
According to the California Department of Transportation, expanded polystyrene products account for about 15 percent of the all the trash that collects in city streets and gutters.
The products are considered to be the fifth largest creator of hazardous waste by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The disposal of expanded polystyrene has environmental consequences. When burned, it releases toxic chemicals into the air.
This leaves landfills as one of the few options for disposal of expanded polystyrene.
Similar bans have been enacted in nearly 100 cities and regions around the country - Portland, San Francisco and Oakland are just a few.
The ban of expanded polystyrene foam products is expected to help the Corvallis community become more eco-friendly.
It will also help cut down hazardous waste around the city and in landfills.
Using alternative products, to those made from expanded polystyrene foam, is not as cost effective for smaller businesses.
Businesses like the North Shore smoothie shop, rely on styrofoam cups on a daily basis.
"No company cares more about the environment than North Shore," said Tim Lesmeister, the owner of North Shore.
Lesmeister wants to see an alternative to one-use cups that will not put him at a disadvantage.
North Shore is currently offering its customers a reusable plastic insulated cup for a one time fee of $1. No alternative, however, has been found for disposable cups.
The proposal for the ban is being held today at 7 p.m.
The meeting will be held at the fire station at 400 NW Harrison Blvd.
Students and community members are encouraged to participate.
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