No Elmhurst Styrofoam Ban For Now, But Council Divided

ELMHURST, IL – A divided Elmhurst City Council on Monday opposed a ban on polystyrene foam for the time being.

A majority of aldermen favored waiting and seeing what the state would do about the material, commonly known by the brand name Styrofoam.

Last fall, aldermen Michael Bram and Mike Baker proposed banning food containers made of the foam.

But the city's public safety committee, headed by Alderman Mike Brennan, recommended the wait-and-see approach.

The committee noted that a state ban is moving through the legislature. If the bill passes, it would take effect in 2030.

If the bill fails, the committee said it would revisit the issue.

McDonald's started phasing out Styrofoam in the early 1990s. It takes an estimated 500 years for the foam to break down.

At the council meeting, Brennan said it was prudent to phase out the foam. But he said the committee did not want to put local restaurants at a disadvantage compared with those in other towns, saying other materials would cost more.

"It's going to take restaurants some time to figure out how they're going to incorporate different container materials into their takeout," he said.

But Bram said Oak Park and other towns have done so without any apparent economic hardship. He said the costs to restaurants would be minimal.

"As a leader, we should be doing what is right, not waiting for the state to do something, if anything," Bram said.

Alderwoman Noel Talluto encouraged much more investigation into the effects of a local ban if the state bill does not pass. She said she wanted to see restaurants represented.

Alderman Guido Nardino, who owns Club Lago Italian restaurant in Chicago, favored a local ban.

"Businesses bellyache. That's what we do. We want to spend as little money as possible," he said. "As a local body of government, we can lead or follow. I think we should lead."

The council voted 9-4 against a ban for now. The dissenters were Bram, Baker, Nardini and Rex Irby. Alderman Jacob Hill was absent.