The Environmental Safety Company (EPA) introduced a ban on the manufacture, import, distribution, sale and use of polystyrene foam merchandise, generally often known as Styrofoam or take-home packs, efficient January 1, 2027.
This assertion was issued by the Administrator of the Environmental Safety Company on Might 25, 2026.
EPA stated the directive builds on a coverage announcement made by President John Dramani Mahama through the 2025 World Surroundings Day celebrations on June 5, 2025, as a part of efforts to fight plastic air pollution and shield the surroundings.
The ban applies to all types of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam merchandise used for human actions or business functions, authorities stated.
The ban consists of meals packaging containers, take-out packs, disposable cups and plates, foam packs utilized by eating places, chop bars and meals distributors, and expanded polystyrene packaging and cushioning.
This additionally consists of ceiling and insulation supplies, foam mattresses and bedding merchandise, and all different expanded polystyrene merchandise supposed for human use or consumption-related actions.
Nevertheless, EPA famous that the ban doesn’t apply to EPS merchandise particularly supposed for medical, scientific, laboratory, and diagnostic functions, in accordance with relevant regulatory company laws.
The authority stated the directive is a part of its efforts to guard public well being, enhance environmental well being, scale back plastic air pollution, promote sustainable growth and guarantee compliance with environmental requirements.
Due to this fact, we directed producers, importers, distributors, and customers of polystyrene foam merchandise to start transitioning to safer, reusable, recyclable, and environmentally sustainable alternate options previous to the efficient date.
In the course of the transition interval, EPA stated it’s going to conduct nationwide stakeholder engagement, public training, and technical consultations, in addition to strengthen compliance monitoring, regulatory inspections, and enforcement preparedness.
The company added that it’s going to work with metropolitan assemblies, metropolis councils, native councils, port authorities, customs officers and trade regulators to make sure efficient enforcement of the nationwide ban.
