Plastic foam ban will affect only one food service chain

Only one chain would be affected by a local law adopted Tuesday that would prohibit polystyrene foam food service containers in Dutchess County.

Dunkin’ Donuts reportedly is the only major chain in the county that still uses them.

Several people spoke during the public comment period at the start of the county Legislature’s monthly meeting, including many associated with the container industry who opposed the measure.

Several students from an elementary school class read short comments supporting the law.

The ban, approved with just one “no” vote, does not apply to small retail operations. It does, however, apply to containers sold at all county-sponsored events, or held at county facilities. It also will apply to other chain restaurants should they go back to using foam.

The Ulster County Legislature enacted a ban on the use of polystyrene by the food service industry in March 2015. The ban went into effect for the county and chain food service establishments that year, and in May 2016 for independent food service establishments.

Polystyrene, commonly known by the trademarked name Styrofoam, is a known carcinogen in test animals and is classified a likely carcinogen in humans. It does not biodegrade and is considered a major component of plastic debris in the ocean and the waste stream.

Dutchess County Legislator Greg Pulver, R-Pine Plains, one of the authors and sponsors of the county’s new law, said Tuesday that, as a farmer, he sees firsthand evidence of the damage plastic foam can do to the environment.

“We do farm almost 2,000 acres of ground in Dutchess County and a little bit in Columbia, and I can tell you that we see remnants of polystyrene and Styrofoam all over the place,” Pulver said.

Democrat Joel Tyner, of Clinton, frequently a champion of environmental issues, praised the bipartisan support for the law.

The dissent came from Legislator Angela Flesland, R-town of Poughkeepsie.