Politics & Government

City Council President Wants to Ban Styrofoam Cups in Boston

Boston City Council President Stephen Murphy originally called for a ban on styrofoam cups in 2009, but feels there's more support of it in 2012.

The styrofoam cups that are being used today will live longer than the man who would like to ban them in Beantown - Boston City Council President Stephen Murphy.

At a recent Boston City Council meeting, Murphy reintroduced an order from 2009, calling for a citywide ban on styrofoam cups.

"The styrofoam is nonbiodegradable and lasts for hundreds and hundreds of years in landfills," said Murphy, who reminded his peers that 10 of them supported the order in 2009 (with the other three not being on the council). 

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Murphy said more than 111 municipalities have banned them across the country, and that locally, Brookline is debating a ban now. "It’s sound public policy. (I'm) just asking for it to go to the appropriate committee and seeing if we can get behind it in the city."

Here are statistics on styrofoam from Livestrong.com, including: 

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  • Styrofoam and Styrofoam products fill up 30 percent of our landfill space, and landfills are quickly becoming full.
  • A Recycling Revolution reports that packaging material makes up one-third of an average dump.

The order was referred to the Committee on Environment and Human Rights.


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