Surfrider Foundation’s Oregon chapters have long been at the forefront of tackling polystyrene foam pollution. Whether on beaches, rivers, or highways, foam consistently ranks among the top 10 most collected items during cleanups, breaking down into toxic microplastics that harm wildlife and accumulate in the environment. 

In 2023, a major victory was achieved with the passage of Senate Bill 543, which bans the use of polystyrene foam—commonly known as Styrofoam^TM—in the food service industry. Starting January 1, 2025, this statewide ban will help reduce pollution, protect wildlife, and encourage sustainable business practices.

Surfrider, alongside a coalition of partners, proudly worked to bring this important legislation to life. This victory not only benefits the environment but also presents an opportunity for restaurants and suppliers to adopt eco-friendly alternatives, connect with environmentally conscious customers, and lead the charge toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.

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What’s Covered by the Ban?

• Bans food vendors from using polystyrene foam containers when selling prepared food.
• Prohibits food vendors from providing single-use food containers to customers unless they meet specific standards.
• Outlaws the sale or distribution of polystyrene foam containers and packaging peanuts.
• Prohibits the sale of food containers made with certain harmful chemicals (perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances).
• Sets up fines for violations (see below).
• Requires the Department of Environmental Quality to create a certification program for compostable products.

Compliance is Key

To allow businesses ample time to find alternatives, the bill passed in 2023 set a start date of January 1, 2025. Therefore whatever foam inventory a restaurant has may not be used after January 1, 2025. 

Penalties for not complying include:

• $100 per day for using foam containers
• $500 per day for selling foam products

If you live in Portland and come across a business still using foam for food service, report it here. For reporting options in your area, check local websites and report a concern to your city. 

The Oregon Alternative Foodware Working Group has been at the forefront of finding ways to help businesses reduce single-use foodware and transition to more sustainable alternatives. To guide this effort, the group has created three key documents aimed at educating stakeholders about policies and alternative foodware options available to Oregon businesses:

1. Recent Foodware Legislation: This document provides an overview of relevant legislation passed over the last six years, offering key insights for restaurant owners and food providers.
2. Polystyrene and Food Containers with PFAS Prohibition Fact Sheet: A concise overview of Senate Bill 543, set to take effect in 2025, which bans polystyrene foam and food containers containing harmful chemicals like PFAS.
3. Oregon Food Serviceware Guide: A comprehensive resource that delves into alternative foodware products and offers guidance on how businesses can make the switch.

One of the key takeaways from the Oregon Food Serviceware Guide is that reuse is the most sustainable option. The guide provides real-world examples of how restaurants can implement reusable options into their daily operations. For businesses where reusables aren’t feasible yet, the guide recommends prioritizing food serviceware that is non-toxic and breaks down more easily in the environment than plastics or bioplastics.

Building the Oregon We Want, Together

Links for more information : 

Surfrider HQ Blog: Policy and Programs Team Up to Tackle Single-Use Foodware in Oregon 

DEQ Site on Foodware Containers and Polystyrene Foam

DEQ Fact Sheet 

Senate Bill 543: Foam Free Oregon Fact Sheet