Board of Health Mulls Ban on Styrofoam Here

By Sue Ellen Woodcock

It was an unexpected show of support Tuesday night when about 30 people attended the Board of Health meeting where a public hearing was held on the issue of banning single serving expanded polystyrene containers also known as Styrofoam.

“I didn’t expect this many people,” said Board of Health Chairman Nick LoConte.

He has appeared before the Town Council to inform them of the board’s upcoming vote. The Board of Health will meet and vote on the Styrofoam ban on July 26.

The board is proposing that all restaurants, schools, etc. stop using Styrofoam take home containers, serving trays and the like. The school department backs the change and is working though its stock it now has.

Just this week the inspectional services department mailed out renewal forms for food licenses and included information about the proposed ban.

The board noted that it is an environmental issue that kills birds and mammals, does not biodegrade and cannot be included in Winthrop’s curbside recycling program.

If approved later this month the ban would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2017.

Styrofoam is a Dow Chemical Company that trademarked the word “Styrofoam”.

According to the board, the health hazards of using polystyrene include that it leaches into liquids and foods in the container. Heat significantly increases the leach rate, especially when microwaving. Alcohols, oils and fats promote leaching.

Betty Peabody, who along with her husband are with the Winthrop Beautification Committee, said they back the proposed ban.

“Where there’s a will there’s a way,” she said.

Cindy Luppi, a local clean water activist, said she gives a thumbs up to Winthrop for supporting the ban.

Styrene is listed as a neurotoxin.

“If you wouldn’t feed you child out of one of these containers don’t have them,” said resident Rachel DeFranco.

“We will join so many other communities in this ban,” said resident Susan Hitchcock.