Virginia bans plastic foam take-out containers

A bipartisan law in Virginia could have ripple effects on the health of our wildlife and wild places for generations to come.  

On March 18, Gov. Ralph Northam signed into law a bill banning polystyrene foam (what most of us call Styrofoam) cups and take-out containers in our state. Polystyrene products are one of the most frequently observed forms of plastic pollution in our oceans, and they’re also among the most harmful since they break apart easily but never fully degrade.

“Environment Virginia has talked to tens of thousands of Virginians about plastic pollution and polystyrene and has collected more than 50,000 petitions calling on our leaders to take action on this crucial issue,” said Elly Boehmer, Environment Virginia state director. 

“Virginia’s leaders in the General Assembly and the governor’s office listened this year.”

Read more about the ban. 

Learn more about our Wildlife Over Waste campaign.