The weather is heating up, and here in New York State we’re keeping things cool by reducing litter and encouraging more sustainable options for coolers and other cold storage containers.
On Jan. 1, 2026, New York’s Foam Ban expanded from disposable food service containers and packing peanuts to include a ban on polystyrene foam coolers and other containers designed or intended to be used for cold storage. The expansion of the Foam Ban added even stronger protections to reduce plastic pollution, keep the recycling stream clean, and encourage the switch to more sustainable container and packaging options in New York State.
No covered food service provider, manufacturer or store is allowed to sell, offer for sale, or distribute expanded polystyrene foam containers that are not wholly encapsulated or encased within a more durable container, and are designed or intended to be used for cold storage, including, but not limited to, coolers and ice chests.
If you observe any of the banned polystyrene foam containers or packaging being sold, offered for sale, or distributed in New York you can notify NYSDEC by submitting a complaint using the online complaint form at https://dec.ny.gov/form/report-a-foam-ban-violation
