Gov. Jay Inslee has signed Senate Bill 5022 into law, limiting the use of unnecessary single-use plastic across Washington state. The new law — introduced by Sen. Mona Das — bans the manufacture, sale and distribution of certain expanded polystyrene products, including packing peanuts, foam plastic coolers and foodware (i.e., cups, plate, bowls and clamshell containers). It also requires dining establishments to omit single-use plastic utensils, straws, cold-beverage cup lids and condiment packaging unless requested by customers — this applies to dine-in, takeout or delivery. Finally, the legislation establishes post-consumer recycled-content standards for plastic beverage bottles, personal care products, home cleaning products and trash bags.
The passage of SB 5022 makes Washington the first state on the West Coast and seventh U.S. state to ban polystyrene foam food containers. Washington is also the first state to ban foam plastic coolers. “Today, Washington demonstrated its leadership in the fight against the growing plastic pollution crisis threatening our environment, health and future,” said Christy Leavitt, Oceana’s plastics campaign director. “Washington residents will now be able to skip much of the unnecessary and previously unavoidable single-use plastic that accompanies their meals.”