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H 912

An Act to reduce polystyrene in the environment

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Michelle Ciccolo and 8 co-sponsors

The bill bans the use, sale, or distribution of foam and solid polystyrene in food and retail establishments in Massachusetts after one year.

Hearing scheduled for 05/06/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1
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Bill Summary · H 912

Summary: H 912 – An Act to reduce polystyrene in the environment

Purpose and intent

H 912 seeks to reduce environmental polystyrene pollution by prohibiting the use, sale, or distribution of foam and solid polystyrene items by food and retail establishments in Massachusetts, one year after the act’s passage. The bill aims to limit disposable polystyrene ware and select polystyrene-containing packaging and containers to decrease litter and environmental impact.

Key provisions

  • New Chapter established: The bill adds Chapter 21P to the General Laws, defining terms and governing polystyrene use.

  • Definitions (selected):

    • Disposable Food Service Ware – single-use containers and implements for heating, storing, serving, or transporting prepared foods and beverages, including consumer-purchased items from retail establishments.
    • Foam Polystyrene and Solid Polystyrene – forms of polystyrene, including expanded (foam) and rigid (solid) variants.
    • Food Establishment – operations serving or selling food to the public, including those requiring a state food permit.
    • Retail Establishment – stores and vehicles engaged in selling or providing merchandise or ready-to-consume foods off-premises, including food trucks and farmers markets.
    • Polystyrene – both foam and solid forms; identification code “6” or “PS” may appear on items, but restrictions apply regardless of markings.
    • Other defined terms include Packing Material, Prepared Food, and Health Agent.

  • Regulated conduct (effective one year after passage):

    • Food Establishments may not use, sell, or distribute disposable ware made from foam or solid polystyrene.
    • Retail Establishments may not sell or distribute:
    • disposable polystyrene ware (foam or solid),
    • foam/solid polystyrene meat/fish/seafood/vegetable/egg trays,
    • packing materials (e.g., packing peanuts, loose fill, shipping boxes) made with foam/solid polystyrene,
    • coolers/ice chests, pool/beach toys, or dock floats/mooring buoys/markers made with foam/solid polystyrene unless fully encapsulated in a more durable material.
    • The provision clarifies certain exemptions in the packing-material category (e.g., reuse within the same distribution system and shipments received from outside the state).

  • Exemptions:

    • Individuals may use polystyrene items purchased outside Massachusetts for personal use.
    • Prepared foods packaged outside the Commonwealth may have related exemptions (text provided is truncated in the materials).

  • Enforcement and penalties: The provided text does not specify penalties; enforcement details are not included in the excerpt.

Affected parties

  • Food Establishments (restaurants, cafeterias, caterers, etc.)
  • Retail Establishments (grocery stores, convenience stores, farmers markets, food trucks, etc.)
  • Health Agents (enforcement entities)

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Official filing/ docket: House Docket No. 2792; House No. 912.
  • Legislative actions: Referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources; hearing scheduled for May 6, 2025 (1:00 PM–5:00 PM) in room A-1.
  • Status: Hearing scheduled; bill under consideration by the ENR committee.
  • Related bill: HD 2792 (replaces the measure).

Related context

The bill mirrors broader environmental efforts to curb single-use plastics by eliminating foam and solid polystyrene in consumer-facing settings, aligning with statewide waste reduction and pollution prevention goals.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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