SELECT Americans are seeing a ban take effect this month that changes their take-out meals forever.
The law was implemented to target a specific aspect of dining out.
GettyA ban involving select products used when dining out is now in effect (stock image)[/caption]As a result, food vendors in Virginia are no longer able to sell menu items in containers that contain polystyrene (EPS), more commonly known as Styrofoam, as of July 1, 2025.
These food vendors include restaurants, stores, and other businesses that offer food with 20 or more Virginia-based locations.
That means that national fast food and fast-casual chains are part of the statewide ban, along with non-profits, catering trucks, or even government entities.
Except, only one group within the broad food vendor definition must comply to the Styrofoam removal law by July 1 — any business that offers food with 20 or more locations.
All groups must abide by it starting July 1, 2026.
Officials from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality are cracking down on Styrofoam because of environmental impact and resident health concerns.
Any products containing it, including bowls, cups, plates, trays, and more, are difficult to recycle as it has a low density and breaks apart easily.
Only about 1% of all Styrofoam is successfully recycled in the United States, and it takes more than 500 years to decompose.
Not to mention, the styrene chemical included in Styrofoam has been linked to health issues in human beings such as impaired memory, vision and hearing loss, nervous system damage, and even cancer, per Toxic-Free Future.
CHICKEN CHANGE
Some well-known chains with more than 20 locations in Virginia, like Chick-fil-A, already started transferring to paper cups in June, well before the July 1 implementation, per The Hill.
Will Taylor, owner and operator of a Chick-fil-A location in the state, told the publication that getting on top of the adjustment was important.
It isn’t much of a surprise, as the fast food giant began phasing out Styrofoam at all its over 3,000 locations in 2023.
“We go above and beyond expectations, so we wanted to be ahead of the curve,” Taylor said.
Still, Taylor noted that there has been “mixed reviews” about the Styrofoam ban among consumers.
Virginia Styrofoam Ban
Starts on July 1, 2025, for food vendors with more than 20 locations in the state All food vendors must comply starting July 1, 2026 Alternative options for food packaging include recyclable plastics, paper products, foil, metal, and reusable containers Officials seek to reduce environmental impact and negative health effects linked to Styrofoam“Most of our customers are not very excited about the change,” he added.
Most complaints in threads on Reddit note the fact that paper cups aren’t able to insulate cold drinks in the summer heat as well as Styrofoam, which was echoed by longtime Chick-fil-A fan Jake Darrel.
“That’s why I get everything without ice now so I know I can at least make it home without it doing that,” Darrel told The Hill, referring to the ice melting and causing condensation on the outside of the cup.
Another customer, Darryl Chesson, emphasized that “Styrofoam is definitely more durable than paper.”
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Paper products are one of several alternative options offered by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
Others include recyclable plastics, foil, metal, and reusable containers.
Certain groups could even qualify for a one-year exemption for the ban from their local governments if they can demonstrate how it could cause “undue economic hardship.”
More resources for vendors are available on the Foam Free Virginia website.
Other states like Maine and Washington have issued a similar law in recent years involving Styrofoam.
Walmart also implemented a “right size” packaging change to reduce Styrofoam usage and plastic packaging.
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