Bill to reduce Styrofoam, single-use plastics at Del. restaurants passes Senate

DOVER, Del. – The Delaware Senate has passed legislation to limit the use of polystyrene containers and many single-use plastics at restaurants statewide.

Senate Bill 57, sponsored by Senator Trey Paradee, would bar restaurants from serving ready-to-eat food in containers made of polystyrene, also best known as styrofoam, starting on July 1, 2025.

The bill would further prohibit food establishments in the state from providing single-use plastic straws unless requested by a consumer, while also banning single-use plastic coffee stirrers, cocktail picks, and sandwich picks. Plastic straws would still remain available by consumer request, however, single-serve plastic coffee stirrers and plastic picks used for sandwiches and cocktails would be outright banned.

The bill now heads to the House for consideration.