Jan 1 - CA - California Says Goodbye to Polystyrene 'Peanut' Packaging

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Starting January 1, distributors will no longer be able to use those obnoxious polystyrene packaging 'peanuts'.

AB 3025, by former Assembly Member Sally Lieber, prohibits the sale of expanded polystyrene, aka Styrofoam, loose fill packaging in this state unless it is comprised of at least 60% post consumer recycled material. The law was passed by the California Legislature in 2008. The full text of the law is available here.

"Those plastic peanuts are as obnoxious to consumers as they are dangerous to the environment," said CAW Executive Director Mark Murray. "Expanded foam polystyrene is particularly dangerous because it is light and easily airborne, so it can be quickly transported by wind and rain into the marine environment where it causes irreparable harm to our water quality and our marine life."

In advance of the new law, most product distributors have already moved to packaging that has a smaller environmental footprint, as well as being more consumer friendly.

"This holiday season, we saw a lot less polystyrene and a lot more recycled paper products and air-filled bags," said Murray. "While the plastic bags are still problematic, they use substantially less energy and take up less space in landfill than the polystyrene peanuts."

Polystyrene has a disproportionate impact on the environment.

When AB 3025 was enacted, Assembly Member Sally Lieber said: "Degradable or recyclable products offer more environmentally sound and economical alternatives.”

Interesting fact: Polystyrene peanuts are so lightweight and aerodynamic that the United States Antarctic Program have banned them in Antarctica, where wind speeds can reach up to 200 miles per hour, and also where the outdoor environment provides near-perfect camouflage for this problem product.

California currently has SB 568 (Lowenthal), a statewide ban on Polystyrene takeout containers. The bill is currently in the Assembly.