Mammoth’s ban on foodware goes into effect

Prohibition on Styrofoam effective this year

The Mammoth Lakes Town Council has recently adopted two ordinances amending the municipal code for foodware and food packaging. According to the town, these ordinances were made in an effort to reduce the amount of litter in the environment and community, thereby protecting local wildlife habitat and increasing the quality of life for residents and visitors.

On July 19, 2023, the town council adopted an ordinance prohibiting businesses from using expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) foodware containers for food products within the town of Mammoth Lakes. Additionally, no food provider shall sell or otherwise provide plastic singleuse foodware accessories or condiments except upon request. In order to allow an adjustment period for affected businesses, this amendment did not go into effect officially until Jan. 1, 2024. Temporary exemptions are available for food service providers struggling to remove expanded polystyrene products from their inventory, but those exemptions will expire on or before Dec. 31 this year.

Another amendment to Mammoth’s municipal code for foodware and food packaging included an ordinance prohibiting businesses from selling or distributing single-use plastic water bottles of 500ml or less within the town of Mammoth Lakes. This amendment is set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

The proposed timeframe would allow the town sufficient time to conduct the necessary public outreach as well as time for businesses to implement the changes required by the ordinance. However, the sale and distribution of single-use plastic water bottles of 500ml or less will be prohibited at town facilities and town-affiliated events by a slightly earlier date, set for Jan. 1, 2025.