The following are exempt from the provisions of this policy:

1. Coolers and ice chests, that are encased in a durable material are exempt from the regulations
2. Food brought by individuals for personal consumption.
3. During a locally declared emergency, the city, emergency response agencies operating within the city, users of city facilities, and food and beverage providers shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
4. Food or beverage provider that provides or distributes a plastic beverage straw upon request to individuals with disabilities as needed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Food or beverage providers that are obligated to purchase or have purchased polystyrene food or beverage service ware under a contract entered within the year prior to the operative date of this ordinance are exempt from the provisions of this Chapter for six (6) months following its operative date.

The city manager or designee may exempt any person from section 8.42.030 of this code, as follows:

1. A request for an exemption shall be filed in writing with the city manager or designee and shall include documentation supporting the reason for the claimed exemption and shall include any other information necessary for the city manager or designee to make a decision. The city manager or designee may require the applicant to provide additional information to in order to make an exemption determination. Applicants shall promptly provide additional information requested by the city manager or designee. Failure to provide such additional information may result in the denial of an exemption request.
2. The city manager or designee may grant an exemption for a maximum of one (1) year, with or without conditions, upon finding that compliance would create an undue hardship. Applications for exemption renewals will also be considered. Undue hardship includes, but is not limited to, situations where:
   • There are no reasonable alternatives to polystyrene food service ware for reasons that are unique to the applicant; or
   • Compliance with the requirements of this chapter would deprive a person of a legally protected right.

This proposed Polystyrene Waste Reduction Regulations covers polystyrene foodware, polystyrene coolers, polystyrene packaging materials, polystyrene egg cartons, polystyrene produce trays, polystyrene meat and fish trays.

Polystyrene Foodware 

The sale of polystyrene single-use foodware, including, but not limited to, plates, bowls, trays, wrappers or wrapping, platters, cartons, condiment containers, cups or drink ware, straws, lids, cutlery, utensils, stirrers, lid plugs (splash sticks), or any container in or on which prepared food or beverages are placed, packaged or served for consumption.

Polystyrene Foam Coolers 

The sale of polystyrene foam coolers not encased in another material.

Polystyrene Trays 

The sale of polystyrene meat, poultry, fish, and vegetable trays, and egg cartons.

Polystyrene Packing Products 

The use of polystyrene products for packing purposes for all regulated entities.

No Resin Code "No. 6" or "PS"

Food and Beverage Providers that distribute Prepared Food or Raw Food or Beverages in Disposable Foodware or Disposable Foodware Accessories shall: (1) Not distribute Disposables that exhibit Resin Code “No. 6” or “PS”; and (2) maintain documentation about the composition of the Disposable Foodware or Disposable Foodware Accessories. Such documentation shall include information from the either the supplier, the manufacturer, or bulk packaging for the Disposables, and information which demonstrates the disposable material is not composed of Polystyrene.

The Polystyrene Waste Reduction Regulations applies to food or beverage facilities, and retail establishments located in the City of Glendale, which use, sell, and/or distribute Polystyrene Foodware, Polystyrene Coolers, Polystyrene Packing Materials, Polystyrene Egg Cartons, Polystyrene Produce Trays, and Polystyrene Meat and Fish Trays.

The Report “Plastic Waste in Los Angles County” identifies the harm to the marine environment from plastic letter where plastic pollution originates for inland and enters the marine environment via stormwater channels and other conveyances.

The report also identifies the following negative impacts:

1. “Plastic is the primary source of land litter in California, making up seven of the top 10 litter products found on beaches, with four being food service ware.

2. Plastic litter infiltrates City drainage systems and ac­crues in landfills with a lifespan likely lasting centuries.

3. Urban runoff channels millions of tons of debris into oceans per year, threatening invaluable natural habi­tats and marine life.

4. Coastal cities incur significant economic costs as a result of litter cleanups and prevention efforts.

5. Polluted shorelines lead to indirect costs to commu­nities including losses in tourism revenue and damage to recreational/aesthetic values of the coastal envi­ronment.

6. Traditional petroleum-based plastics rely on nonre­newable energy sources for production and recovery, contributing to an increasing global carbon footprint throughout their lifecycle.”

7. In addition to the negative environmental impacts stated above a significant amount of plastic waste sent for recycling ends up in landfill, this is especially true of polystyrene products that are notoriously hard to recycle.

You may have disposable foodware that is not polystyrene.

However, disposable foodware, such as cutlery, can only be provided upon request to customers. To learn more, check out the Single Use Plastic Foodware Ban (Ordinance 5976).

The Polystyrene Regulations has been effective since late 2023.