To the Editor:

The Albany County Legislature is considering legislation that would extend the ban on the use of one-time use (take-out) food and beverage polystyrene foam containers from restaurants and eateries with 15 or more establishments in the United States, enacted three years ago to all restaurants and eateries in the county.

A public hearing was held Nov. 22. Industry representatives said that polystyrene manufacturing jobs in New York will be in jeopardy if the legislation is enacted, no one has ever been made ill from drinking from a polystyrene cup, polystyrene recycling occurs in many places in the United States, and that supporters of the legislation confuse styrene and polystyrene. They said alternatives to polystyrene cost and weigh more, and are not recycled or composted in Albany County.  Three spoke in support of the bill.

Two weeks later, at the legislature's Dec. 5 meeting, speakers said there is no possibility of recycling food and polystyrene containers that contain food and beverage residues, plastics should not be microwaved, and one reason federal and many state health and environmental agencies are not proactive in support of banning such containers is that they are very political institutions subject to pressure from corporate interests.

I responded to industry comments made Nov. 22, saying I will pay $100 to the first person who can prove that no person has ever been made sick by drinking from a polystyrene cup.

The legislature met again on Dec. 19.  Twelve spoke in favor of the bill, none against.  Speakers noted that polystyrene containers are a ubiquitous litter problem on land, and, due to their light weight, are often visible floating in lakes and rivers. Such containers can leach toxic styrene and benzene into the foods and beverages.

Recycling polystyrene (also known as Styrofoam) is not practicable due to its being stained and that it easily breaks. Many alternatives exist that are fully and safely biodegradable or compostable, or reusable.  Styrofoam containers are not recycled anywhere in the greater Capital District.

Polystyrene containers never fully biodegrade. One woman said all single-use plastic containers should be banned. A man said the Delmar Farmers’ Market fully supports the proposed ban and no polystyrene products are used in the Bethlehem school district.

At the legislature's Jan. 9 meeting, about 10 people spoke in favor and three industry representatives spoke against. About two hours were devoted to public comments and questions from legislators in an excellent exchange of facts and opinions.

I said government has a moral responsibility to protect the public and especially children from being poisoned and enacting the proposed ban is a wise use of government power.  One man said clean polystyrene can be recycled but the cost is prohibitive, and both the Green Restaurant Association and the New York Restaurant Association oppose polystyrene use.  A woman identified by name many restaurants and eateries in Albany County that do not use polystyrene.

Albany County Executive Dan McCoy signed the first bill into law three years ago and has asserted many times his intention to make Albany the greenest county in the state.  

The bill may be voted on at the legislature's Feb. 13 meeting held on the second floor of the Albany County Court House on Eagle Street in downtown Albany.  A public comment session begins at 6:30 p.m.  Supporters of the bill plan to return until we are victorious.  Please consider joining us.

Tom Ellis

Albany