CA SB568

Prohibits food vendors from dispensing prepared food in polystyrene foam food containers beginning January 1, 2016, with limited exceptions.

School districts are exempt until July 1, 2017, and may continue using polystyrene foam containers if they adopt a verifiable recycling program achieving at least 60 percent annual recycling rates, renewable for five-year periods.

Cities or counties may allow polystyrene foam containers if they adopt ordinances establishing recycling programs demonstrating at least 60 percent annual recycling rates based on empirical data, operative for up to five-year periods.

Food vendors may receive exemptions from the ban if they demonstrate undue economic hardship to the city or county, with exemptions lasting until January 1, 2017, or up to one year from the demonstration date, and may reapply for additional one-year exemptions.

Does not preempt local authority to adopt more restrictive single-use takeout food packaging ordinances, regulations, or policies.