Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried visits Sarasota to talk phasing out Polystyrene in Florida stores and markets

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried introduced that her dehalfment will work to half out Using polystyrene merchandise in Florida grocery shops, markets, comfort shops and completely different companies.

The use Of these merchandise, although Low price for consumers, is lethal for the environment and wildlife. Research have proven that polystyrene is linked to critical well being circumstances by leaching into meals and drinks, by no means absolutely disappears from marine environments, and takes A minimal of 500 yrs to decompose in landfills, the place it consists of 30 % of trash. Six U.S. states and cities in 13 states have enacted bans on polystyrene, encouraging Using readily-out there various packaging. Alternative sources of packaging embrace hemp fibers and sugarcane bagasse, each of That are grown in Florida.

“Polystyrene Might Even be useful, however There is a hidden hazard to public well being from these disposable shopper merchandise. Chemical compounds in polystyrene Aren’t solely linked to human and animal well being considperiodtions, however as a Outcome of these petroleum-based mostly merchandise take A minimal of 500 yrs to decompose, their adverse end outcomes proceed prolonged after they’re thrown away,” said Commissioner Fried. “As Florida’s shopper safety and meals safety agency, We now have An alternative To assist consumers And agencys make a constructive change. That’s why I’m excited to announce that We now have started the rulemaking course of to half out Using polystyrene meals packaging On the 40,000 grocery shops, markets, and comfort shops that we regulate in Florida. By growing demand for value-efficient various merchandise, That is typically An limitless alternative to create Florida jobs, at Florida companies, using Florida-grown crops to create subsequent-period merchandise Which are made in Florida. This imaginative and prescient to half out polystyrene till reaching zero inside this decade is a monumental change for consumers, well being, and the environment, becoming a member of A third of U.S. states in taking movement on this problem.”

The dehalfment’s draft rule, 5K-4.045, would start a multi-yr half-out of polystyrene packaging starting in 2022, with a most allowable quantity of polystyrene to be purchased or distrihowevered reducing Yearly. The draft rule would additionally require regulated entities to file an annual report of The quantity of polystyrene purchased or distrihowevered that yr.

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