The proposed bill introduces a phased ban on the use of polystyrene foam containers in Arizona for food-related businesses. Starting January 1, 2025, restaurants and food establishments will be prohibited from serving food or beverages for on-premises consumption in polystyrene foam containers. The ban extends on January 1, 2026, to include all prepared food and beverages served or packaged in such containers by restaurants, food establishments, hotels, motels, and resorts. By January 1, 2027, food packagers will also be barred from using polystyrene foam containers for packaging meat, eggs, bakery products, or other food items.

The bill allows for exemptions if no acceptable alternatives to polystyrene foam are available and if complying with the requirements would cause undue hardship or if the foam is intended for use in transportation, construction, health, or safety applications. The Department is authorized to adopt rules for implementing and enforcing the section, including establishing a fee for exemption applications. Definitions for terms such as "expanded polystyrene foam," "food packager," "polystyrene foam container," "prepared food," and "undue hardship" are provided within the bill.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 49-707