New York City May Ban Styrofoam; Looks to Double Recycling Rate

New York City may ban Styrofoam containers and is looking to double its recycling rate to 30 percent by 2017, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in his state of the city address.

Bloomberg said in his address that the Styrofoam plastic container is virtually impossible to recycle itself and increases the cost of recycling by as much as $20 per ton because it has to be removed. He will work with the city council to adopt a law banning Styrofoam food packaging from stores and restaurants.

The city has developed a comprehensive plan to achieve its recycling goal, including putting 1,000 new recycling containers on the streets and making it possible to recycle more plastic.

New York City also plans to launch a pilot recycling program to collect curbside organic waste from single-family homes in Staten Island. If it succeeds, Bloomberg said, the program will go citywide.