Latest news with #Styrofoam
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Chick-fil-A customers outraged over cup change
'I'm fine with the fries change , but taking away the Styrofoam cup? This feels gross,' a user wrote on Reddit last week, sharing a photo of a paper white and red soda cup. Their post sparked a heated debate among hundreds of patrons, with some condemning the new cups and others getting onboard with them. 'We have the paper cups in Canada and they suck,' another added. 'Styrofoam is a much better material for cups. Its insulated so your hand doesn't get cold and wet while holding it,' one person described. 'I understand if it's better for the environment. I just reeaaallly wish we could find a similar alternative, because Styrofoam really does keep that ice from melting nearly as fast,' someone said. But other swooped in to defend the transition. 'I'm shocked that people would miss the Styrofoam cup what is wrong with you. Do you like eating plastic?' a Redditor asked. Another added: 'I personally dislike the Styrofoam cups. Whenever I have them, I wonder if a loose small piece of Styrofoam is floating around in my drink.' 'Paper cups do just as well keeping your drink cold with ice. Without the numerous environmental downsides to Styrofoam,' someone asserted. 'Styrofoam is so bad and most states are starting to ban them. ……plus they kinda suck,' a comment reads. It is unclear where the original Redditor posted from, but several states across the US have banned Styrofoam. The lightweight plastic material has been outlawed in Colorado, Maine, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Washington DC. Styrofoam, a brand for polystyrene, has long been considered harmful to the environment because it release toxic chemicals and is not biodegradable, Environment America reported. Chick-fil-a locations, such as stores in Virginia, have been transitioning away from the material. 'Attention Valued Guests: Virginia has issued a state-wide ban on serving Styrofoam cups after 6/30/25,' a Chick-fil-A in Culpeper shared on Facebook on Thursday. 'To comply with this state law, we are transitioning to insulated paper cups for most of your favorite beverages. Thank you for understanding!' The company announced a change in its cups in 2024, but the announcement does not mention Styrofoam.
Fox News
5 days ago
- General
- Fox News
Chick-fil-A customers notice their drinks come in paper cups, sparking Styrofoam debate
Some Reddit users are calling out a beloved fast-food chain over a change in the cups for their beverages. A user on the Chick-fil-A forum on Reddit posted a photo of a paper cup in front of a takeout bag. "I'm fine with the fries change, but taking away the Styrofoam cup? This feels gross," says the title of the post. Fox News Digital reached out to Chick-fil-A for comment. The post garnered hundreds of reactions, with customers weighing in on the Styrofoam vs. paper cup debate. "CFA usually uses Styrofoam cups unless there is a local or state law that prohibits them from doing so," wrote one user. "Styrofoam bans are getting increasingly more common." Another user commented, "The paper cup sucks but nothing worse than the paper straws." Said a different Redditor, "I understand if it's better for the environment. I just reeaaallly wish we could find a similar alternative, because Styrofoam really does keep that ice from melting nearly as fast." One user wrote, "I personally dislike the Styrofoam cups. Whenever I have them, I wonder if a loose small piece of Styrofoam is floating around in my drink." "If it bothers you so much, you can always keep a Yeti mug in your car and transfer your drink to that." "Honestly, this is one hill I really don't care to die on. If it bothers you so much, you can always keep a Yeti mug in your car and transfer your drink to that," advised one user. Another Redditor said the Styrofoam cups "suck" and wished Chick-fil-A would "switch nationwide." One person agreed, writing, "Styrofoam is a much better material for cups. It's insulated so your hand doesn't get cold and wet while holding it." "I'm shocked that people would miss the Styrofoam cup," one person wrote. "Do you like eating plastic[?]" the person added. One customer wrote, "They just made this change at my CFA in Virginia. I did a double take." "Styrofoam isn't biodegradable, so the cups from Chick-fil-A you got as a kid, well, they're still sitting there! Not going anywhere, just piling up more and more," commented a Redditor. Styrofoam cups are made from polystyrene. Twelve states have banned polystyrene foam, which may be the reason for the switch to paper cups. Washington, D.C., Maine, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Colorado, Virginia, Delaware, Oregon, Rhode Island, California and Washington all have bans on polystyrene foam.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Red-state governor shoots down bill banning this common hospitality industry item
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte vetoed legislation that would largely ban Styrofoam containers, dubbing it "textbook government overreach." House Bill 477 would phase out the use of the containers by 2030, but starting in 2028 for restaurants and the hospitality industry. Introduced by Democrat state Rep. Marilyn Marler, the legislation garnered some bipartisan support in the Republican-majority legislature. Watch: Red State Gov Urges Firearms Makers To Ditch Colorado Amid Its Anti-gun Push "Our state should remain a sanctuary for freedom and free enterprise, and let high taxes, high spending, and hyper-regulation remain a feature of deep blue, progressive states," the Republican wrote in his veto letter, citing how various blue states like California and Washington have imposed similar regulations. "Frankly, I was surprised to receive House Bill 477 which dictates to restaurants, food establishments, bakeries, resorts, hotels, and others what they can and can't use to package food and drinks," he continued. Proponents of the legislation argued that the material poses a health and environmental risk, and many places have already stopped using Styrofoam, according to KTVQ. Read On The Fox News App Cutting The 'Green Tape': Conservation Group Offers Top 10 Ways For Dept Of Interior To Streamline Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte The bill stated that polystyrene foam "is a material that causes environmental harm and poses a threat to fish and wildlife; and whereas, styrofoam takes up space in landfills and contributes to the need for costly expansions borne by taxpayers; and whereas, styrofoam threatens the right of each Montanan to a clean and healthful environment." The proposal included a few exceptions but would require an application for using the foam as it relates to "transportation; construction; health; or safety." "Finally, if policymakers are trying to get rid of Styrofoam, which I'm not, why only target restaurants and food-service establishments? Why not packaging supplies? Though I'm not advocating such an approach, targeting one industry that uses Styrofoam and not another seems inconsistent with the purported purpose of House Bill 477," the governor wrote. Gop Governor Rallies Around Historic Proposal To Slash State's Income Tax: 'I Am Optimistic' "The state banning Styrofoam is costly government overreach," Gianforte said, saying it would cost taxpayers an estimated $300,000 through a new Montana Department of Environmental Quality program and could create additional costs for consumers if businesses are forced to make the switch. "I enjoy hot coffee in a Styrofoam cup because it keeps it hot. And this bill is a hot mess," he said in a video posted to X on Monday. Original article source: Red-state governor shoots down bill banning this common hospitality industry item
Fox News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Red state governor shoots down bill banning this common hospitality industry item
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte vetoed legislation that would largely ban Styrofoam containers, dubbing it "textbook government overreach." House Bill 477 would phase out the use of the containers by 2030, but starting in 2028 for restaurants and the hospitality industry. Introduced by Democrat state Rep. Marilyn Marler, the legislation garnered some bipartisan support in the Republican-majority legislature. WATCH: RED STATE GOV URGES FIREARMS MAKERS TO DITCH COLORADO AMID ITS ANTI-GUN PUSH "Our state should remain a sanctuary for freedom and free enterprise, and let high taxes, high spending, and hyper-regulation remain a feature of deep blue, progressive states," the Republican wrote in his veto letter, citing how various blue states like California and Washington have imposed similar regulations. "Frankly, I was surprised to receive House Bill 477 which dictates to restaurants, food establishments, bakeries, resorts, hotels, and others what they can and can't use to package food and drinks," he continued. Proponents of the legislation argued that the material poses a health and environmental risk, and many places have already stopped using Styrofoam, according to KTVQ. CUTTING THE 'GREEN TAPE': CONSERVATION GROUP OFFERS TOP 10 WAYS FOR DEPT OF INTERIOR TO STREAMLINE The bill stated that polystyrene foam "is a material that causes environmental harm and poses a threat to fish and wildlife; and whereas, styrofoam takes up space in landfills and contributes to the need for costly expansions borne by taxpayers; and whereas, styrofoam threatens the right of each Montanan to a clean and healthful environment." The proposal included a few exceptions but would require an application for using the foam as it relates to "transportation; construction; health; or safety." "Finally, if policymakers are trying to get rid of Styrofoam, which I'm not, why only target restaurants and food-service establishments? Why not packaging supplies? Though I'm not advocating such an approach, targeting one industry that uses Styrofoam and not another seems inconsistent with the purported purpose of House Bill 477," the governor wrote. GOP GOVERNOR RALLIES AROUND HISTORIC PROPOSAL TO SLASH STATE'S INCOME TAX: 'I AM OPTIMISTIC' "The state banning Styrofoam is costly government overreach," Gianforte said, saying it would cost taxpayers an estimated $300,000 through a new Montana Department of Environmental Quality program and could create additional costs for consumers if businesses are forced to make the switch. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "I enjoy hot coffee in a Styrofoam cup because it keeps it hot. And this bill is a hot mess," he said in a video posted to X on Monday.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
After years of negotiations, Illinois lawmakers consider measures to phase out plastic bags, foam food containers
CHICAGO — After more than a decade of negotiations and failed efforts to reduce the use of plastics, Illinois lawmakers are considering legislation that would prohibit large retailers from offering single-use plastic bags and ban the use of most polystyrene containers in the state over the next four to five years. Advocates, citing the threat of rising plastic waste to human and environmental health, say the timing for the bills is ripe given rising health concerns about microplastics and the passage of similar legislation in states like New Jersey and California. Retailers also support the measures, calling the requirements balanced and flexible, according to a statement from the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. But at the same time, President Donald Trump's administration is moving in an opposite direction, with Trump declaring America is going 'back to plastic' by reversing federal restrictions on plastic drinking straws and dismantling departments that regulate plastic pollution. In addition, some labor unions, including the Illinois Pipe Trades Association and AFL-CIO, oppose the move to do away with foam food containers. Manufacturers have expressed concerns the measures could lead to thousands of layoffs if the facilities that make the banned products are forced to shut down as their in-state customer base disappears. Two bills are awaiting a vote in the state Senate. One measure would use financial penalties under the jurisdiction of the attorney general and local state's attorney offices to restrict the sale or distribution of disposable containers made of polystyrene — known by the brand name Styrofoam — with the exception of egg cartons, starting in January 2030. The other bill would prohibit retailers with more than a dozen stores from offering or making available single-use checkout bags by January 2029. State Sen. Laura Fine, a Democrat from Glenview who's sponsoring the foam container bill, said there are alternatives to polystyrene and plastic bags and that the measures are necessary 'to get the bad products off the market so we could have a cleaner environment and help our kids.' Environmental advocates widely agree there's an unhealthy proliferation of plastic waste and that plastic bags and polystyrene are the 'worst of the worst,' partly because of how long these products take to decompose, said Emily Kowalski, outreach engagement manager with Environment Illinois. She noted about 22 million pounds of plastics enter the Great Lakes every year, according to 2022 estimates from the Rochester Institute of Technology. 'Nothing we use for just a few minutes should be allowed to pollute our water and environment for hundreds of years,' Kowalski said. Volunteers with the Alliance for the Great Lakes have collected more than 10 million pieces of litter in the past 20 years at beaches of the five Great Lakes, 86% of it partially or fully plastic, according to Andrea Densham, senior policy adviser with the environmental organization. Polystyrene foam pieces were the third most common litter item that volunteers found over the years. Densham said this is a threat to drinking water and the lakes, citing that the Great Lakes hold 20% of the world's fresh water and provide drinking water for over 40 million people. According to a 2024 study in the research publication Frontiers, continued exposure to microplastics through ingestion and inhalation can lead to inflammation, gastrointestinal disorders and chronic diseases. There have been previous efforts to reduce plastic in the state, such as Chicago's tax on plastic bags that increased from 7 cents to 10 cents per bag in January 2025 and a 2023 state law banning foam foodware at state facilities that went into effect this January. Advocates say these initiatives haven't been entirely effective. 'I've seen there's still foam in the Stratton cafeteria, so I would like to see the state leading by example,' said Jack Darin, director of the Illinois Sierra Club chapter, referring to a state government office building in Springfield that was required to stop procuring foam, or polystyrene, for use by January 2025 under the 2023 law. Sen. Cristina Castro's bill to ban plastic bags contains a provision that would eliminate municipal taxes on plastic bags by 2029, including Chicago's, which at 7 cents a bag in 2023 generated more than $17 million. Castro, of Elgin, said municipalities have not been using the extra cash to support sustainable initiatives, as was intended by advocates. An outright ban, instead of a tax, would be more successful in limiting plastic waste, Castro said. 'Instead of using the money for sustainability programs, a lot of them (municipalities) have used it for filling the coffers or plugging some other hole, which has frustrated a lot of the environmentalists, activists, who have said, 'Hey, that was supposed to help with recycling and things like that,'' said Castro. The Illinois Municipal League opposes the bill because of the provision dropping the bag tax, which it argues preempts local regulatory authority, the group's CEO, Brad Cole, said. Manufacturers and the unions take issue with Fine's foam foodware bill, arguing the measure would only shift consumers to use another type of plastic and cause significant job losses at polystyrene manufacturing plants. While the bills do not ban the production of polystyrene, Donovan Griffith, vice president for government affairs for the Illinois Manufacturers Association, said a loss of in-state customers holds a 'real potential for job losses.' Keith Clark, CEO of Dart Container, a polystyrene manufacturing company that employs more than 1,400 people in Illinois at facilities in Chicago, North Aurora and Country Club Hills, told the Tribune that the legislation, if passed, would 'certainly require us to reassess our Illinois operations in the coming years.' Brad Laporte, CEO of WinCup, a polystyrene manufacturer with two facilities outside of Chicago, said he worked with Illinois lawmakers to get the ban deadline extended to 2030 but still opposes it, saying the measure could even ban the company's new biodegradable foam foodware. Those products can decompose by 92% over four years in certain landfills, according to the company's website. Griffith also said polystyrene containers are cheaper and in some ways more environmentally friendly than alternatives that require more energy to produce, a point some environmental advocates take issue with. The four- to five-year runway before the measures would take effect is intended to give municipalities time to fill gaps in tax revenue, consumers to adjust behavior, large retailers to eliminate bag use and foam foodware and manufacturers to prepare for losing revenue from large retailers. 'This is a change in the way organizations do business,' said Fine, acknowledging her conversations with opponents of the bills. 'This is a huge step, but we have to protect our Great Lakes and our waterways and this is part of that process.' ____
