Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried wants to phase out styrofoam from Florida stores

SARASOTA, Fla. — All by way of a go to to Sarasota on Friday, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried introduced A mannequin new initiative. The gubernatorial candidate said her dehalfment had begun rulemaking to half out Using polystyrene in grocery shops and companies throughout Florida.

Polystyrene, or styrofoam, is Utilized in meals packaging merchandise like styrofoam cups, plates and to-go bins. The merchandise are Low price however Fried said research have proven the chemical compounds inside polystyrene foam have been linked to most cancers, imaginative and prescient and listening to loss, delivery defects, respiratory irritation and A complete Quantity of completely different well being factors. 

“Polystyrene Might Even be useful, however There is a hidden hazard to public well being from these disposable shopper merchandise. Chemicals in polystyrene Aren’t solely linked to human and animal well being considerations, 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. 

The rule the Dehalfment of Agriculture is drafting plans to slowly half out styrofoam packaging yr by yr – reducing the allowable quantity of styrofoam being purchased Yearly.