Albany County Considers Expanding Ban On Plastic Foam Items

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Lawmakers in upstate New York are considering an expansion of Albany County's ban on plastic foam cups and to-go containers to include all businesses this year.

The Times Union of Albany reports (http://bit.ly/2igAsNT ) the county's current law, passed in 2013, only applies to chain restaurants with more than 15 locations. Packaging for raw meat, poultry or seafood is also exempt.

County Legislator Chris Higgins, an Albany Democrat, introduced legislation earlier this year that would extend the ban to all eateries that use polystyrene products.

The county enacted the ban as part of an effort to reduce the level of non-biodegradable trash in the county's waste stream and ease the stress on local landfills.

Republican county leaders have opposed the expansion because of its potential negative financial impact on small businesses.

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Information from: Times Union, http://www.timesunion.com