New York ban on foam coolers goes into effect soon

New York is set to ban disposable coolers made of polystyrene foam starting next month.

The ban goes into effect Jan. 1. Beginning then, no food service provider, manufacturer or store covered by the ban will be allowed to sell any foam coolers, ice chests or other containers designed for cold storage, according to the state Department of Environment Conservation.

The state is advising people to use more durable reusable coolers instead of those made of foam.

New York first banned single-use containers and packing peanuts made of polystyrene foam, more commonly known as Styrofoam, in 2022. Lawmakers originally passed the ban as part of the state budget two years before that.

Since the ban first went into effect, restaurants covered by the law have not been allowed to use foam food co