Styrofoam Ban Starts In January For San Jose Restaurants, Markets

SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- Local restaurants, markets and street food vendors in San Jose will no longer be using foam and Styrofoam containers for food and beverages starting in the new year.

The two-phase ordinance was passed by the San Jose City Council in 2013, initially affecting only multi-state chain restaurants. Starting Thursday, however, that restriction will be extended to locally based businesses as well.

Restaurants could face fines up to $500 for disregarding the new rules.

Back in 2013, city staffers found that foam containers were the third most commonly littered item at a series of trash hot spot cleanup sites.

Officials with the San Jose Environmental Services Department say more than 70 California cities and agencies have adopted similar bans.