VIDEO: Commissioner Nikki Fried Announces Next Steps of FDACS Polystyrene Phase-Out, Submitting Rule to Legislature

Tallahassee, Fla. – At an event in Jupiter this morning, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) rule to phase out polystyrene products at FDACS regulated businesses will be submitted today to the Florida Legislature for ratification. Joining Commissioner Fried to discuss these next steps and the importance of this initiative were Palm Beach Gardens Mayor Rachelle Litt, Jupiter Inlet Colony Vice Mayor Chip Block, and Christine Stapleton representing Surfrider Foundation.

VIDEO: A livestream of the press conference may be viewed here.

“With my department tasked with consumer protection and food safety for our state, we understand the harmful impact of polystyrene use on human health, our environment, and by extension, our economy,” said Commissioner Fried. “Phasing out polystyrene will spur innovation, create opportunity, reduce harmful chemicals, and improve consumer health. With our rule to do just that being submitted to the Florida legislature today, I urge my colleagues in the Capitol to pass it and join this effort – for our health, the health of our communities, the health of our environment, and the health of our economy.”

“Our economy is driven by our local natural resources, which attract new businesses, visitors, and families to our beautiful city every day,” said Palm Beach Gardens Mayor Rachelle Litt, who discussed two resolutions passed by the city council in January to mitigate the personal and environmental impacts of polystyrene and plastics. “To maintain that quality of life that our residents and visitors expect, we are committed to smart, sustainable growth, and we are committed to reducing our environmental impacts and promoting a sustainable community.”

“Yesterday, I attended virtually a meeting of the Land Acquisition and Reclamation Council of the Florida DEP and I was reminded of all the great people in Florida who are working to help preserve our environment, enhance our environment, and ensure our quality of life and future,” said Jupiter Inlet Colony Vice Mayor Chip Block. “It really gave me a boost because when I first moved here 15 years ago, I felt like we were pushing a boulder up the mountain. Now, I feel like there’s a lot of us pushing that boulder up the mountain. It’s great to have a leader like Commissioner Fried who is leading the way in efforts like this and all the other efforts that she has introduced to protect our environment.”

“These are some serious problems but there are some simple solutions, and Commissioner Fried has proposed one of them with this rule: stop plastics at the source,” said Christine Stapleton, who spoke on behalf of the Surfrider Foundation. “And by passing this polystyrene rule, lawmakers will show Florida citizens that they hear the demands to protect the marine environment and they are willing to take action.”

Background: In September, Commissioner Fried announced that FDACS had begun rulemaking to phase out the use of polystyrene products in the 40,000 Florida grocery stores, markets, convenience stores, and other businesses regulated by the department. The rule would require existing regulated entities to file an annual report of the amount of polystyrene sold or distributed, reducing their foam use by one-third starting in 2023 and eliminating its use beginning in 2025. Following a public comment period, including a rule hearing held at the 2021 Florida Energy and Climate Summit, the rule will now be submitted to the Florida Legislature for ratification. The rule would be established and enforced through the department’s statutory authority, Chapter 500, Florida Statutes.

Expanded polystyrene foam (EPS or polystyrene), commonly known as Styrofoam, is widely used as a cost-effective food packaging solution. Studies have shown that polystyrene is linked to serious health conditions by leaching into food and beverages, never fully disappears[ ] from marine environments, and takes at least 500 years to decompose in landfills, where it comprises 30 percent of trash. Six U.S. states and cities in 13 states have enacted bans on polystyrene, encouraging the use of readily-available alternative packaging. Alternative sources of packaging include hemp fibers and sugarcane bagasse, both of which are grown in Florida.

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