April 30th, 2019 – Augusta, ME – Governor Mills Signs Nation’s First Polystyrene Food Containers Ban. Beginning January 1, 2021, a ‘covered establishment’ including a food establishments, an eating establishment, (excluding hospitals and meals on wheels programs of DHHS), agricultural fairs, farmers’ markets, food pantries/churches, boarding/retirement/and independent living homes, may not process, prepare or sell or provide food or beverages in or on disposable food service containers that are composed in whole or in part of polystyrene foam.
Click to read the Chaptered Law.
Disposable Food Service Container Definition: “Disposable food service container” means service ware designed for one-time use.
A. “Disposable food service container” includes service ware for take-out foods, packaged meat, eggs, bakery products and leftovers from partially consumed meals prepared by covered establishments.(“Service ware” means a container, bowl, plate, tray, carton, cup, lid, sleeve, stirrer or other item designed to be used to contain, transport, serve or consume prepared foods)
B. “Disposable food service container” does not include polystyrene foam coolers or ice chests that are used for the processing or shipping of seafood
Exemptions.
B. Sell or provide food or beverages in or on a disposable food service container that is composed in whole or in part of polystyrene foam that a consumer brings to the covered establishment; and
C. Sell at retail food or beverages in or on a disposable food service container that is composed in whole or in part of polystyrene foam that the covered establishment purchases prepackaged at wholesale.