Connecticut's Polystyrene Ban Stalls, Milder Bill Passed

0:00It's May 2nd. This is Hartford News Today, AI-powered stories from your city. Connecticut's latest push to ban polystyrene takeout containers, the stuff we call Styrofoam, just got shelved again. House Democrats decided not to advance House Bill 5524, which aimed to phase it out by July 1st, 2028. Instead of a full ban, they pulled some milder parts into another bill, tweaking environmental rules. At New Bill, House Bill 5153 keeps pushes to cut single-use plastics. It copies New Jersey's skip the stuff rule, so restaurants only hand out utensils and condiments if you ask. Plus, it makes supermarkets and conference centers donate edible food scraps before composting. Lawmakers like StateRip Andre Bumgardner from Grotten say, �Heavy pushback for manufacturers ate up too much debate time in this short session. Liberal groups still call it progress, especially on food donations and cutting extras at meals. These bands have stalled for years thanks to restaurant industry fights, but oppositions

1:02easing as spots swished to paper or plan-based options. Bumgardner's own town of Grotten ditched polystyrene and single-use plastics back in 2020. Manufacturers pushback, saying swaps to other materials spike energy use in emissions, and recycling tech for foam already exists. Still, advocates and even some critics see room for deals, with more eateries going green voluntarily, could mean a real band's not far off.