CT HB06606

School districts, regional school districts, regional vocational technical schools, and constituent units of higher education must develop a plan by July 1, 2024 to discontinue use of expanded polystyrene trays and must complete discontinuation by July 1, 2025.

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

Violations carry progressive penalties: warning for first offense, $200 for second violation, $500 for third violation, and $1,000 for fourth and subsequent violations, with a maximum of one violation per day.

Exemptions apply to pre-filled and sealed containers sold to consumers and containers used by butchers or stores for raw meat, as well as patient care units in chronic disease hospitals or rehabilitation facilities.

Local health departments and state departments of Public Health, Consumer Protection, and Energy and Environmental Protection may enforce the restaurant and caterer provisions, with half of fines going to the violating municipality; a report on enforcement and potential hardship waivers is due February 1, 2025.