Bills introduced to ban single-use plastics at Illinois restaurants

With the backing of environmental groups, state lawmakers introduced bills on Wednesday that would require Illinois restaurants to do away with single-use foodware.

Brent Schwoerer, the owner of Engrained Brewing Company in Springfield, said during a press conference at the state Capitol, his restaurant already uses reusable straws and to-go food containers at its Lincolnshire Boulevard location.

"Sustainability has been something important to me ever since I was a kid," he said. "It makes complete sense that we should eliminate single-use plastics."

Legislators have filed three near-identical bills in the 103rd Illinois General Assembly - Senate Bill 100 and House Bills 2376 and 3865 - that would set deadlines for when the polystyrene plastic ban is effective. Exemptions have been set for food pantries, soup kitchens, not-for-profits, and restaurants with a gross income less than $500,000 per year.

HB 3865 from state Rep. Kevin Olickal, D-Chicago would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, whereas SB 100 and HB 2376 would go into effect starting in 2025. State Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, is a co-sponsor of SB 100 from state Sen. Laura Fine, D-Glenview.

Environmental groups such as the Coalition for Plastic Reduction back the legislation saying it would reduce the amounts of foam found in waterways. Of the 22 million pounds of plastics entering the Great Lakes each year, approximately half of it ends up in Lake Michigan said director of Illinois Public Interest Research Group Abe Scarr.

"We cannot recycle our way out of the problem," he said. "That's why we need to stop it at the source."

None of the bills, as currently written, include any specific punishment for restaurants that continue to use single-use polystyrene which is less expensive than reusable alternatives such as aluminum. The goal behind the legislation, proponents say, will cause more businesses to use reusables and thus draw down the cost.

Still, research from the University of Michigan indicates that reusables might not always be the most energy-efficient. The July 2021 study found, due to the energy and water expended to clean for its reuse, what was saved by reusable products never broke even with what was used.

State Rep. Mike Coffey, R-Springfield, has continued his ownership of Saputo's early in his appointed term in the 95th House District. His Monroe Street Italian restaurant uses polystyrene, cardboard, and tinfoil for carry-out.

Most restaurant owners, he said, are willing to use more eco-friendly options but it often comes down to what the product allows. Coffey said styrofoam cups insulate heat better than other products, which is often what the customer wants.

"As far as mandating things to small businesses, I'm not really in for mandating," he said. "Do I think it's a good thing to eliminate styrofoam? Sure, it's better for the landfills and things of that nature."

Related:Springfield businessman named as new 95th House District representative

Democrats have tried to ban polystyrene products in prior legislative sessions, most recently with House Bill 3067 which never made it to a vote.

Gov. JB Pritzker did however sign Senate Bill 1915 in June to prohibit state parks and natural areas from using single-use plastic foodware. The law, effective as of Jan. 1, does not apply to the Illinois State Fair or vendors contracted by the state until 2024.

Contact Patrick Keck: 312-549-9340, pkeck@gannett.com, twitter.com/@pkeckreporter.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Styrofoam foodware could be banned in Illinois under new legislation