Albany

Styrofoam containers, the standard for take-out coffee and food, will soon become a rarity in Albany County.

A new law will prohibit chain establishments from selling any prepared food or drink in a polystyrene foam container, commonly known as Styrofoam. The ban, effective in six months, passed the County Legislature Tuesday night in a 24-12 vote and only applies to businesses with at least 15 locations nationally.

Before the vote, there was over an hour of public comment in the packed legislative chamber as two dozen people went before local lawmakers to express their opinion. There were six people who spoke against the ban — all members of the industry or lobbyists, a point noted by many of the 18 people who spoke in support of the ban.

Styrofoam is difficult to recycle, doesn't decompose and makes up a significant portion of the trash polluting local waterways, noted some lawmakers, and there are also potential health risks. Styrene, which is used to make polystyrene, is listed as a possible carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

But the science is still debatable, said Republican Legislator Deborah Busch, who said she voted against the law because alternative containers are more expensive and will raise costs for businesses. She also felt the county didn't give enough consideration to recycling proposals offered by industry experts.

And while small businesses were spared, Democratic Legislator Douglas Bullock, who sponsored the bill, said he hopes to expand the ban countywide. Bullock said forcing chains to buy alternative containers, like paper products, should lower the costs enough that small businesses could eventually make the switch without decimating their profits.

"For now, we're asking those who aren't affected by this ban to voluntarily comply," Bullock said. "This is really aimed at our fast-food, throwaway culture."

Albany joined at least 100 other municipalities across the country that have also limited the use of Styrofoam, including Suffolk County and Glen Cove in New York.

A Styrofoam ban was introduced at the city level in 2012, but Albany's Common Council reconsidered that approach because there wasn't a clear way to enforce it.

The Albany County Department of Health will ensure compliance with the new law.

Some local businesses supported the ban, like Price Chopper. Mona Golub, vice president of public relations and consumer services, said the ban would not substantially increase their costs. "We don't use Styrofoam a lot," she said.

Yet for other companies that heavily rely on Styrofoam, like Dunkin' Donuts, which has 20 sites in the county, the changes will be quite an overhaul, though it has already faced similar bans in other locations.

"We remain committed to finding a long-term alternative to the current disposable cup options," said a prepared statement from Michelle King, director of global public relations.

Kimberley Smith, from Berne, said she drove 45 minutes to the meeting because she is sick of seeing Styrofoam containers strewn about. "Some things we don't have choices about, but this is something we can actually change," Smith said.

Fines start at $250 for the first offense and $1,000 after three or more.

asanto@timesunion.com • 518-454-5008 • @alysiasanto