After having targeted crime rates and trans-fats, among others, retiring New York mayor Michael Bloomberg has used his last State of the City address to push for a citywide ban on polystyrene food containers. “Something we know is environmentally destructive, that is costing taxpayers money, and that is easily replaceable, I think, is something we can do without,” Bloomberg was cited as having said.

It is estimated that about 20,000 t of polystyrene, popularly known as “Styrofoam”, find their way into the Big Apple’s waste stream every year. Because it needs to be handled separately, the costs of recycling 1 t of the material are estimated at USD 20, Bloomberg – who is due to end his tenure this year – said. The mayor’s proposal will now go to the City Council, where a similar ban has been stalled in recent years even though a number of other cities, including Seattle and Brookline, have limited bans in place.

The proposal received a mixed welcome, as environmental groups were elated, while American Chemistry Council (Washington DC / USA; www.americanchemistry.com) president Steve Russell said that instead of banning the material, it would be better to look into recycling techniques. The response from businesses has also been muted, with CNN reporting that Dunkin’ Donuts released a statement saying that a ban would not eliminate waste or increase recycling but only serve to replace one type of trash with another.

The proposal to ban polystyrene is part of a wider environmental programme put forward by Bloomberg, which includes the goal of doubling New York’s recycling rate to 30% by 2017 and building a new recycling plant capable of processing plastics that previously were not accepted.