Costa Rica will no longer allow the import or sales of expanded polystyrene 鈥� commonly known as Styrofoam in North America. The law prohibiting the packaging was signed on 15 July and will take effect in 2021.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a material that can鈥檛 be reutilised. This is why this ban on import and commercialisation is so important, as it will reduce the pollution caused by this type of waste,鈥� said Costa Rica鈥檚 Minister of Health Daniel Salas in a .
Polystyrene is lightweight, inexpensive and moisture resistant, which makes it useful for everything from building insulation to food packaging. But it isn鈥檛 biodegradable 鈥� instead it slowly breaks down into smaller particles called microplastics. Polystyrene has been found to be widespread in marine environments where its chemicals can leach into the water and become toxic to sea life, potentially contaminating fish we eat.
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There are also concerns about the direct health effects of polystyrene for humans. People exposed to high concentrations during plastic production have developed eye and skin irritation, and problems with their respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts.
The prohibition will be enforced in two years, and before then the government said in a statement that they will incentivise the substitution of other packaging materials to replace expanded polystyrene.
