It’s 2015, and Styrofoam is as popular as ever in cities like Buffalo, which is incredible to say the least. Whether it’s opening a package or getting your leftovers wrapped up, the scourge is everywhere with no signs of dissipating… until now?
Finally New York City is taking the plunge, and is expected to be joining a growing list of 70 other cities that currently ban the “everlasting” product. The NYC ban on Styrofoam products could be in effect as early as July 1, 2015, according to Grist.org.
Maybe, just maybe, now that NYC is moving toward banning Styrofoam products, Buffalo might actually start thinking along those same lines?
In the meantime, these types of bans should start from within. Restaurant owners should know better by now. There are plenty of alternatives out there at this point, and while they might be a few cents more, “greener” packaging products can be used for marketing purposes. If employees are trained to broadcast the changes to customers and clientele, there would be an immediate upside. Many customers get turned off when handed environmentally insensitive products.
At some point, Buffalo will have to jump on the green bandwagon. Let’s start putting those wheels in motion now, instead of continuing to play the waiting game.