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SPI Regulation Tracker

Packaging rule · United States · Ban

Washington expanded polystyrene foam ban

Ban covering plastic in Washington, United States, set by Washington Legislature / Department of Ecology. Applies since 1 June 2024.

By the SPI teamRule ID PR-US-012Source consulted 13 October 2026Sourced, awaiting second check
Sourced facts

The rule

Recorded from the official source named below. Rates and dates are as the source states them on the date it was consulted.

Jurisdiction
United States · Washington
Authority
Washington Legislature / Department of Ecology
Rule type
Ban
Materials
Plastic
Status
In force Enacted
Adopted or published
1 June 2024
Applies from
1 June 2024
From the source

“Beginning June 1, most containers made of expanded polystyrene (EPS) will be illegal to sell or distribute in Washington.”

Official source Washington Ecology news release, 29 May 2024Official (government or regulator) · consulted 13 October 2026

Deadlines

Key dates

  1. Adopted or published 2 years and 4 months ago

  2. Applies from 2 years and 4 months ago

  3. Source consulted by the SPI team today

SPI analysis

What it means

SPI analysis Our reading of the official source above. Not legal advice; always rely on the official text.

SPI summary

Washington bans sale and distribution of EPS foam packing peanuts and loose fill (from June 2023), and EPS foam food service products such as clamshells, plates, bowls, cups and trays, and portable coolers (from 1 June 2024).

In practice

Since 1 June 2024, Washington bars the sale and distribution of EPS foam food service products (food containers, plates, clamshells, cups) and EPS portable coolers, after banning EPS loose-fill packing peanuts from 1 June 2023. Foodservice packaging suppliers, distributors and brand owners supplying the state need non-EPS formats. Ecology says it focuses first on education, but the statute provides civil penalties of up to USD 250 for a first penalty and up to USD 1,000 thereafter.

Who is in scope

  • Manufacturers, importers and distributors of covered EPS products in or into Washington (RCW 70A.245.070)
  • Anyone selling or distributing EPS foam products, including retail, restaurants, institutions, government entities and schools
  • EPS food containers, plates, clamshells, hot and cold cups, portable coolers and loose-fill void-filling packaging

Who is not

  • Packaging for raw, uncooked or butchered meat, fish, poultry or seafood, vegetables and fruit
  • Egg cartons
  • EPS coolers used for drugs, medical devices or biological materials, or for shipping perishables from a wholesale or retail establishment

What to do and by when

  1. NowCheck that no EPS foodservice items, coolers or loose fill remain in Washington ranges or distributor stock.
  2. NowMap any EPS still supplied under the meat, produce, egg or cooler exemptions and keep evidence of use.
  3. NowCheck replacement formats against Oregon's PFAS foodware restriction if the same items serve both states.

Related rules

  • PR-US-013 Oregon polystyrene foam and PFAS foodware ban (SB 543)
    Oregon's polystyrene foam and PFAS foodware ban, a neighbouring and broader restriction.
  • PR-US-005 California EPS food service ware sales restriction (SB 54)
    California's EPS food service ware restriction under SB 54.
  • PR-US-008 Washington Recycling Reform Act (SB 5284)
    Same jurisdiction: Washington packaging EPR.
  • PR-CA-005 B.C. Single-Use and Plastic Waste Prevention Regulation
    British Columbia's foam food service ware ban, with a foam meat tray exemption to 2030.

Where the record is unclear

  • SPI has not yet reviewed Ecology's full list of banned and exempt products; this note relies on the agency's news release and the RCW text.

Sources for this note

  1. Washington Ecology news release, 29 May 2024 Consulted 13 October 2026
  2. Washington State Legislature: RCW 70A.245.070 Consulted 13 October 2026

Note written by the SPI team on 13 October 2026.

Where it sits in the tracker

  • One of 13 packaging rules we track in the United States, of which 3 are ban rules.
  • In all, 17 ban rules are tracked across 11 jurisdictions. Compare them below

Company profiles that map to this rule

Companies whose SPI profile lists this rule in its regulatory exposure, based on where they report selling. Not company-reported.

Audit trail

Change history

Sourced: an SPI analyst recorded the facts above from the official source. A second SPI team member has not re-checked it yet. Every change is logged here.

  1. Changed: rate note

  2. Verified by a second SPI team member

  3. Added to the tracker

Spotted an error? Write to sales@strategicpackaginginsights.com quoting PR-US-012 and the source. Corrections are logged in this history.

Other jurisdictions

Ban rules elsewhere

The same type of rule for the same materials in other jurisdictions, by the date it applies.

RuleWhereTypeMaterialsStatusApplies from
Ban on plastic carrier bags and flat bagsPR-KE-001KenyaBanPlasticIn force28 August 2017
Ban on identified single-use plastic itemsPR-IN-004IndiaBanPlastic, Single-use plasticIn force1 July 2022
Plastic phase-outs (stages 1 and 2)PR-NZ-001New ZealandBanPlastic, Single-use plasticIn force1 October 2022
Gradual ban on single-use plastic products (Law 2232 of 2022)PR-CO-002ColombiaBanPlastic, Single-use plasticIn force7 July 2024
Dubai single-use products regulation, final phasePR-AE-001Dubai, United Arab EmiratesBanPlastic, Single-use plasticIn force1 January 2026
Stage 3 plastic phase-out (PVC and polystyrene food and drink packaging)PR-NZ-002New ZealandBanPlasticProposed–
Opinions on Further Strengthening Plastic Pollution Control (NDRC/MEE 2020 No. 80)PR-CN-001ChinaBanPlastic, Single-use plasticIn force–

Every ban rule in the tracker

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