Do You Support Banning Polystyrene Food Containers in Newton?

Coming on the heels of a discussion about a possible fee for single-use plastic bags, the Newton Board of Aldermen will now consider whether to ban polystyrene-based disposable food containers in the city. 

Six aldermen have docketed an item requesting a prohibition of the polystyrene containers (more commonly known as styrofoam) if the packaging takes place in Newton food establishments. 

The item, which was docketed in early January, reads as follows:

ALD. DANBERG, ALBRIGHT, BLAZAR, RICE, LINSKY AND CROSSLEY requesting a prohibition on polystyrene-based disposable food or beverage containers in the City of Newton if that packaging takes place on the premises of food establishments within the City.

The Board of Aldermen's Programs and Services Committee is scheduled to discuss the item at its meeting this Wednesday, Feb. 6. The meeting will be held at 7:45 p.m. in room 222 at Newton City Hall. 

Newton is not the first local municipality to consider a polystyrene ban; Brookline Town Meeting voted in November 2012 to ban foam cups and to-go containers in the town. That ban will take effect on Dec. 1, 2013. 

As for a potential fee in Newton for certain single-use shopping bags, the Programs and Services Committee decided earlier this year to form a subcommittee to research item before moving forward with more discussion. 

What do you think about a possible ban on foam food containers in Newton? Tell us in the comments section below.