Effective on August 1st, no markets, delis, or grocery stores will be able to sell or provide polystyrene foam (styrofoam) within East Hampton Village. This new law prohibits the distribution of: "clam shell" take-away containers, foam cups, coolers, and even packing peanuts.
The Village of East Hampton followed the lead of Patchogue Village, 50 miles west, whose plastic foam ban takes effect in September 2018.
We'd like to give a special shoutout to Scott Bluedorn, a talented local artist and surfer, who started this petition over two years ago asking East Hampton Village and town to ban foam, plastic cutlery, and other single use plastics. The petition recieved over 1,000 signatures. Clearly, the Village was listening!
Surfrider Foundation is heartened to see that East Hampton Village, like many other jurisdictions and businesses across the country are recognizing the negative effects of styrofoam and other single-uses plastics on the environment, and are encouraging businesses and community members to make more sustainable actions.