Dear Alaskan Legislators,
We, the undersigned, support House Bill 25, (HB 25) a bill that would prevent restaurants from using disposable polystyrene foam packaging to serve prepared foods. The bill also requires the use of biodegradable or compostable food service ware.
Polystyrene foam (“styrofoam”) contains the chemical styrene, which has been linked to health harms including certain cancers (such as leukemia and lymphoma). When used to hold hot or warm foods, styrene leaches into the food and can then be ingested. The manufacturing of styrene also presents a threat to the health of workers.
Styrofoam is also harmful as an environmental pollutant. It is lightweight which makes it susceptible to enter into our oceans and other waterways where it can be ingested by fish, seabirds, and marine mammals. It makes up a large percentage of waste mass in landfills, approximately 25-30%. Polystyrene is not recyclable.
We support HB 25 as introduced by Representative Josephson and request that you support this necessary bill.
Updates
March 11, 2025
The feedback I have received highlights a shared concern for the health of our marine ecosystems and the safety of our local food service practices. I am currently reaching out to key offices to discuss how the information gathered here can better inform the upcoming legislative sessions.
March 11, 2025
Seeing this level of engagement confirms that many Alaskans recognize the urgent need to protect our waters from persistent pollutants. This momentum reveals a community ready to move away from materials that compromise our health and our environment.
Reached 100 supporters
March 11, 2025
61 Comments
There is no reason to continue using these outdated and unhealthy products when numerous cheap and comparable products are available. In our remote communities landfill space is at a premium and unnecessary waste from styrofoam shortens their lifespan and degrades the surrounding environment.
No more styrofoam! This is known to be toxic to humans and other animals. I support the local businesses who have transitioned to paper. They have proven that it can be done. I am willing to pay more for take out food if they are not using styrofoam.
Single-use styrofoam is one of the biggest sources of toxic, health-harming litter in the Arctic. It is so easily replaced by safer, affordable alternatives. HB 25 will help solve this problem. It's a well-crafted bill.
The Arctic is accumulating microplastics at an alarming rate - in our ocean, on land, in our fish, in our children, in us. Please ban these harmful chemicals NOW!
Please ban styrofoam from usage by restaurants. I have a cafe and there are very good paper and bamboo based alternatives that are not harmful to any life form. Thank you!
During your review process, please consider MVP Southgate's impact on water quality, natural areas, species habitat, and communities. The impacts the project will have are not worth it.
There is NO reason to use plastic food contaminating containers, when biodegradable materials are so readily available. Please ban the use of all plastic food containers.
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Dear Alaskan Legislators,
We, the undersigned, support House Bill 25, (HB 25) a bill that would prevent restaurants from using disposable polystyrene foam packaging to serve prepared foods. The bill also requires the use of biodegradable or compostable food service ware.
Polystyrene foam (“styrofoam”) contains the chemical styrene, which has been linked to health harms including certain cancers (such as leukemia and lymphoma). When used to hold hot or warm foods, styrene leaches into the food and can then be ingested. The manufacturing of styrene also presents a threat to the health of workers.
Styrofoam is also harmful as an environmental pollutant. It is lightweight which makes it susceptible to enter into our oceans and other waterways where it can be ingested by fish, seabirds, and marine mammals. It makes up a large percentage of waste mass in landfills, approximately 25-30%. Polystyrene is not recyclable.
We support HB 25 as introduced by Representative Josephson and request that you support this necessary bill.
Updates
March 11, 2025
The feedback I have received highlights a shared concern for the health of our marine ecosystems and the safety of our local food service practices. I am currently reaching out to key offices to discuss how the information gathered here can better inform the upcoming legislative sessions.
March 11, 2025
Seeing this level of engagement confirms that many Alaskans recognize the urgent need to protect our waters from persistent pollutants. This momentum reveals a community ready to move away from materials that compromise our health and our environment.
Reached 100 supporters
March 11, 2025
61 Comments
Long overdue! Essential for the health of our AK citizens. Does this bill include provisions to abolish use of styrofoam containers in school food services and any community food-serving gathering- potlucks, church socials, etc?
There is no reason to continue using these outdated and unhealthy products when numerous cheap and comparable products are available. In our remote communities landfill space is at a premium and unnecessary waste from styrofoam shortens their lifespan and degrades the surrounding environment.
No more styrofoam! This is known to be toxic to humans and other animals. I support the local businesses who have transitioned to paper. They have proven that it can be done. I am willing to pay more for take out food if they are not using styrofoam.
Single-use styrofoam is one of the biggest sources of toxic, health-harming litter in the Arctic. It is so easily replaced by safer, affordable alternatives. HB 25 will help solve this problem. It's a well-crafted bill.
The Arctic is accumulating microplastics at an alarming rate - in our ocean, on land, in our fish, in our children, in us. Please ban these harmful chemicals NOW!
Please ban styrofoam from usage by restaurants. I have a cafe and there are very good paper and bamboo based alternatives that are not harmful to any life form. Thank you!
During your review process, please consider MVP Southgate's impact on water quality, natural areas, species habitat, and communities. The impacts the project will have are not worth it.
There is NO reason to use plastic food contaminating containers, when biodegradable materials are so readily available. Please ban the use of all plastic food containers.
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Long overdue! Essential for the health of our AK citizens. Does this bill include provisions to abolish use of styrofoam containers in school food services and any community food-serving gathering- potlucks, church socials, etc?