CT SB00118

School districts, regional school districts, regional vocational technical schools, and higher education institutions must develop plans by July 1, 2023, to discontinue use of expanded polystyrene trays by July 1, 2024, and prepare for contract termination or amendment by July 1, 2023.

Effective July 1, 2024, restaurant and catering business owners are prohibited from providing or distributing single-use expanded polystyrene containers to consumers.

Violations result in a warning for the first offense, $200 for the second violation, $500 for the third violation, and $1,000 for the fourth or subsequent violations, with a maximum of one violation per day.

Exemptions apply to pre-filled and sealed containers sold by restaurants or caterers and to containers used by butchers or stores for raw meat products.

Local health departments, health districts, and state agencies may enforce the provisions, with half of fines remitted to municipalities; a report on enforcement and potential hardship waivers is due February 1, 2025.