Foam Free PWC

The law applies to food vendors that provide prepared food for public consumption, including but not limited to:

• Restaurants
• Cafés
• Delicatessens
• Grocery stores and supermarkets
• Convenience stores
• Food trucks and catering vehicles
• Schools
• Any other establishment that regularly provides prepared food

The ban applies to many single-use expanded polystyrene food service products, including:

• Cups
• Plates
• Bowls
• Trays
• Hinged takeout containers
• Similar food service containers made from expanded polystyrene (EPS)

Expanded polystyrene is difficult to recycle and often becomes litter. According to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality:

• Less than 1% of EPS is recycled.
• EPS can take hundreds of years to break down.
• Lightweight foam is easily blown into waterways and natural areas.
• Wildlife may mistake EPS for food, causing serious harm.

Sustainable container alternatives such as aluminum, paperboard, and plant-based containers are readily available at restaurant supply stores and online. Each option has different benefits so consider what may work better for your menu, operations, and customer base. Businesses are encouraged to transition to:

• Reusable food service containers
• Paper or fiber-based products
• Bamboo or wheat straw products
• Foil or metal containers
• Recyclable plastic containers where appropriate

An extensive Reference Guide of alternative materials to Styrofoam was published by New York State's Department of Environmental Conservation. Read that guide here.

Compostable Tableware Items for Events

Food establishments within Prince William County may apply for a one-year exemption from this law if, 1) there is "no reasonable alternative," and 2) compliance with the law will cause the vendor "significant economic hardship."

Businesses seeking an economic hardship exemption from Virginia's Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Food Service Container Ban should email [email protected] with the subject line:

Economic Hardship Exemption – [Business Name]

Please include the following information:

• Business name
• Business address
• Primary contact name, phone number, and email address
• A brief description of your business and the products or services you provide
• An explanation of the economic hardship and why compliance would create a significant financial burden
• A description of the foam food service containers currently used
• Supporting documentation demonstrating the hardship, such as supplier quotes for alternative products, invoices, pricing information, financial records, or other relevant documentation

Prince William County will review your request and may contact you if additional information is needed. If your request is approved, you will receive written confirmation, and your one-year economic hardship exemption will begin on the date of approval. At the conclusion of the exemption period, your business must comply with the requirements of Virginia's Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Food Service Container Ban unless otherwise authorized by law.

Questions or concerns regarding compliance with the EPS ban may be submitted to the Prince William County Solid Waste Division at [email protected].

Please note that certain food establishments may not be in violation if they have been granted an exemption. Also, the violation reporting form may be completed anonymously; however, contact information must be provided if you would like a follow-up to the report.