Judge Overturns New York City's Ban On Styrofoam Containers
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A New York Supreme Court judge has overturned New York City's ban on plastic foam containers such as egg cartons and to-go cups.
In a decision made public Tuesday, Judge Margaret Chan found the city Department of Sanitation's commissioner's order banning the product to be arbitrary and capricious.
The ban was spearheaded by then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg and supported by current Mayor Bill de Blasio. It went into effect July 1, but the city had delayed penalties until next year.
Judge Overturns New York City's Ban On Styrofoam Containers
Officials estimate 28,500 tons of dirty plastic foam end up in city landfills every year.
In April, a group of manufacturers, recyclers and restaurants sued to stop the ban. They argued the containers could be effectively recycled in a way that saves the city money.
"This is an important day for so many small-restaurant and -business owners," attorney Randy Mastro, who represented a the coalition, told WCBS 880's Ginny Kosola.
"We now look forward to working with the city to implement a comprehensive recycling program that will reduce the amount of city waste going to landfills."
Judge Overturns New York City's Ban On Styrofoam Containers
Chan found the city could save $400,000 recycling 40 percent of its wasted plastic foam.
A spokeswoman for Mayor de Blasio said the administration disagrees with the judge's ruling and that they're looking at options to keep the plastic foam ban in place, 1010 WINS' Al Jones reported.
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