The Virginia General Assembly passed a law in 2021 that bans the use of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), known commonly as Styrofoam, by food vendors. Polystyrene takes +500 years to break down, is frequently littered, breaks into microplastics that are easily ingested by wildlife and contaminate the environment, and is linked to cancer and nervous system damage.
Henrico County’s implementation of the State law is focused on outreach and support to food vendors.
State Law Implementation Timeline
- July 1, 2025 – Food vendors with 20 or more Virginia locations must stop using Polystyrene containers
- July 1, 2026 – All other food vendors must stop using Polystyrene containers
Helpful Resources
- Read the full Virginia State law: VA Code 10.1-1424.3.
- DEQ Foam-Free Resources website
- DEQ Foam Free Flyer
- Additional Information for Food Vendors
Exemptions to State Law
Food vendors may apply for exemption to Henrico County Sustainability Division and must show that (1) it has “no reasonable alternative”; and that (2) compliance with the law will “cause significant economic hardship”.
To apply for the exemption, fill out the following form completely. Remember to click on the submit button at the end to finalize your request.
Please note that the review and approval process for exemptions will take up to 60-days.