Governor John Carney signed a bill that will ban food establishments from providing consumers with ready-to-eat food or beverages in polystyrene foam containers or with single-service plastic coffee stirrers, cocktail picks, or sandwich picks.
It also prohibits food establishments from providing single-service plastic straws, unless requested by a consumer.
The restrictions take effect on July 1, 2025.
The bill was amended to delete exemptions for fire companies and nonprofits.
Styrofoam containers are rarely recycled and if set on fire emit toxic vapors.
Maryland and New Jersey earlier banned the containers.
A ban on single use plastic bags has been in effect in Delaware, although restaurants have been exempt. Some restaurants have moved to paper.
Click here for more details on Senate Bill 51.
