Nation’s strongest plastic foam ban becomes law in Washington

Each year, 33 billion pounds of plastic enter the marine environment — and our Pacific shoreline isn’t immune. 

With Gov. Jay Inslee’s signature on May 17, Washington addressed our plastic pollution crisis by passing the nation’s most comprehensive foam ban into law. The law bans expanded polystyrene foam peanuts, coolers and foodware; requires businesses to provide single-use foodware only upon request; and ensures that plastic bottles and trash bags contain a certain level of post-consumer recycled content. Environment Washington championed the law, connected constituents with their legislators to support the bill, and rallied citizens around “Washingtonians Against Waste,” an online collection of stories from Washingtonians who put wildlife over waste.

“This bill is the work of so many people around the state,” said state Rep. Liz Berry at the bill’s signing. “[Including] Environment Washington, and we have Mandy here. You would not believe how many people they have been able to mobilize on this issue.” 

Environment Washington will continue raising citizens’ voices to win environmental protections.  

Read more about the law. 

Learn more about our Wildlife Over Waste campaign.