The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is reminding businesses, organizations, and consumers that new waste reduction requirements took effect January 1, aimed at cutting down on plastic pollution and expanding restrictions on polystyrene foam and single-use plastics.
The updated rules expand the state’s ban on polystyrene foam containers and further limit the use of small, single-use plastic bottles for personal care products at hotels and similar properties.
“These changes will further benefit New Yorkers and the environment and encourage a shift toward reusable, recyclable, and compostable alternatives,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said in a statement.
Expanded Polystyrene Foam Ban
Under the new rules, food service providers, manufacturers, and retailers are now prohibited from selling or distributing expanded polystyrene foam containers designed for cold storage, such as coolers and ice chests, unless they are fully encapsulated within a more durable outer container.
New York’s original foam ban, which took effect in 2022, already запрещает the sale and distribution of disposable polystyrene foam food service items like cups, bowls, plates, trays, and packing peanuts. The new provision extends that ban to additional foam products that are commonly used for cold storage and shipping.
State officials say polystyrene foam is a major contributor to litter and microplastic pollution because it is lightweight, breaks apart easily, and does not biodegrade. It is also difficult and costly to recycle, and most recycling programs in New York do not accept it.
The state’s polystyrene foam ban does not apply in New York City, which enforces its own separate restrictions.
Expanded Hotel Plastic Bottle Restrictions
The new law also expands existing restrictions on small plastic bottles of personal care products provided by hotels and similar lodging facilities.
As of January 1, 2026, hotels, motels, boarding houses, and apartment hotels with fewer than 50 rooms are no longer allowed to provide small plastic bottles — defined as containers holding less than 12 ounces — of personal care products such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, and moisturizer.
State officials say the bottles are often discarded after limited use, contributing to landfill waste and the release of microplastics into the environment over time.
The changes are part of New York’s broader waste reduction and recycling strategy, which also includes the plastic bag ban, food donation and recycling laws, and other recycling and reuse initiatives.
Businesses and consumers can find more information about the new requirements, exemptions, and how to file complaints on the DEC’s website or by contacting the agency directly
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