Prices will increase at restaurants when foam ban takes effect January 1

New York’s ban on foam food packaging containers will take effect.

The material commonly referred to as styrofoam will be banned from use in New York on January 1, 2022. The ban is part of the state’s effort to reduce the environmental impact of the materials.

However, restaurant owners say it’s yet another measure that will cause prices to increase.

David Scalen, owner and co-founder of Regional Distributors Incorporated, a Rochester-based package distributing company, spoke with News10NBC, noting that while it may have solid intent – the outcome will be a higher cost product in its place.

He said the timing would be particularly challenging. “I think you’re going to see prices rise,” Scalen explained. “I mean the only way the restaurants can really keep up and stay in business is to raise their prices to their end-users.”

Staff Report

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