New York will ban the sale of disposable polystyrene foam coolers starting Jan. 1. After that date, food service providers, manufacturers, and retailers covered by the regulation will no longer be allowed to sell foam coolers, ice chests, or other cold storage containers, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
The state is encouraging the use of durable, reusable coolers as an alternative. New York first prohibited single-use polystyrene items, such as food containers and packing peanuts, in 2022, after lawmakers passed the measure as part of the state budget two years earlier. Restaurants have since been barred from using foam containers, and manufacturers and retailers have been restricted from using the material for packaging.
Coolers are now added to the list of banned foam products as part of the state’s effort to reduce waste. Polystyrene foam is a major source of litter because it breaks apart easily, does not biodegrade quickly, and can remain in the environment for years.
Foam will still be allowed inside coolers if it is encased within a more durable outer layer. That means even after the ban takes effect, reusable coolers may still contain foam internally. More information about the ban is available on the DEC website.