For Immediate Release
November 21, 2019
Contact: Zeth Lundy, Public Information Coordinator
(207) 992-4268
zeth.lundy@bangormaine.gov
Polystyrene Ban in the City of Bangor Effective January 1st
BANGOR, MAINE – Effective January 1, 2020, the City of Bangor will no longer allow food service establishments to use polystyrene food containers for processing, preparing, distributing, or selling food products. The Bangor City Council voted to amend the City Code to prohibit the use of polystyrene at a meeting on May 13, 2019.
The State of Maine has adopted a similar law, which will go into effect in 2021. Due to the environmental concerns of polystyrene, the Bangor City Council voted to have Bangor’s ordinance go into effect a full year ahead of the State. According to the National Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), more than 256 million pieces of disposable foam cups, plates, bowls, platters, and trays are used in Maine every year.
The ordinance can be found online at https://ecode360.com/BA1684/laws/LF1125539.pdf. Maine is the first state to institute a polystyrene ban, and several communities in the state have passed similar laws, including Portland, South Portland, Freeport, and Brunswick.
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The City of Bangor, Maine is a service center community of 33,039 residents and is the county seat of Penobscot County. Bangor is the major commercial and cultural center for much of northern and eastern Maine. The City is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. For information on City projects and news, see www.bangormaine.gov.