A statewide environmental organization wants Texas retailers to stop using styrofoam plastic products and will spend the summer trying to make that happen.
Environment Texas, an environmental advocacy organization based in Austin, begins a campaign Tuesday that will target plastic pollution, mostly polystyrene or styrofoam, across the state.
The group is focused on food companies that serve styrofoam take-out cups, bowls, and containers and its first major target is the fast-food chain Whataburger. Environment Texas will hold a rally in front of Whataburger’s corporate headquarters in San Antonio on Tuesday in an effort to convince the chain to stop using styrofoam in its stores.
“They’re definitely a major contributor to the problem,” said Luke Metzger, executive director of Environment Texas. “They’re an iconic Texas chain and people love them. With that love comes some expectation that they’ll do the right thing.”
The biggest culprit is Whataburger’s iconic drink cups, which are made from styrofoam.
“At Whataburger we’re always looking for the best way to serve our customers,” according to a statement from Whataburger Corporate Communications. “We’re continuously researching new products and we’re currently looking at cup alternatives that keep drinks at the right temperature. We know our customers have come to expect high quality standards from us and will share any updates when we have news to share.
“Our Styrofoam cups are recyclable and we encourage everyone to dispose of them properly.”
Metzger wrote a letter in May to Preston Atkinson, president and chief executive officer of Whataburger, requesting an opportunity to discuss the environmental issues related to styrofoam waste.
He wrote that Americans dispose of 70 million plastic foam cups daily with one third ending up in waterways. Plastics don’t biodegrade in water like paper, food, or other organic materials do, Metzger wrote, and instead act as pollutants to marine life.
“Rather, they’ll remain intact or break down into smaller pieces called microplastics, creating a toxic plastic ‘soup’ that’s easily ingested by marine life,” Metzger wrote. “Plastic fragments have been found ingested by literally hundreds of different species, including 86% of all sea turtle species, and nearly half of all seabird and marine mammal species.”
Atkinson did not respond to the letter, Metzger said.
While the organization describes polystyrene as “one of the worst and most common types of plastic”, the group also wants to lobby State legislators to repeal a 1993 preemption against local plastic bans.
Last week, the Texas Supreme Court struck down a ruling that prohibited local governments from creating plastic bag bans. Consequently, a statewide preemption on plastic bans means municipal governments may not currently pass ordinances outlawing the use of materials like styrofoam.
Although Metzger says it will be “tough” to convince legislators to remove a state law prohibiting local ordinances on plastic bans, he sees hope in this upcoming legislative session.
Metzger said Environment Texas’ movement has spurred companies such as McDonald’s and Dunkin’ Donuts to pledge to stop using styrofoam and plastic bags and he hopes the positive change continues.
“I think we do have some momentum here,” Metzger said.
I always ask the clerk to double bag my items.
What A D__ S___!! The Author I mean,, We always recycle the WB Styrofoam cups and what ever our local system will ACCEPT! Anything else is in Proper Disposal.
YES proper disposal if you dispose of it!!! SA is full of litterbugs. Thus biodegradable is truly needed! Whatever happen to Keep Texas Beautiful campaign?
you can’t recycle styrofoam
Not true.
Below is the link for accepted recyclable materials in San Antonio.
And STYROFOAM food containers and CUPS are on it.
https://www.sanantonio.gov/swmd/recycling/materials#167351789-accepted
I agree that Whataburger should cease their use of styrofoam. Starbucks doesn’t use styrofoam and they have hot AND cold drinks. Their business is built on beverage sales and as far as I can tell, Starbucks is thriving.
San Antonio absolutely has a huge problem with litterbugs. It’s disgusting.
Yes, Yes! Texas has gotta say no to Styrofoam… yesterday. It’s bad bad bad. Recycling has limitations and often isn’t cost effective and I’m not in the know about styrofoam recycling (often it is covered in food waste) but what I do know is if you take a walk in many watershed areas in San Antonio–you see broken up styrofoam pieces everywhere.. this is all making its way to the ocean — or in an animal / fish etc stomach.. and then in you. We just need to say goodbye. I moved here from a city that had banned styrofoam in city limits and it was so great. We can do this.. Whataburger and other fast food places can join in and do the right thing. Thanks Rivard Report for the article and info! Thanks Environment Texas for taking this on!
How do we join the protest? I can’t find a time or any more info online.
They have a link on their website to take action here: https://environmenttexas.webaction.org/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=25459&_ga=2.45480109.801339487.1530022869-389496736.1530022869
Welcome to the 90’s! Getting rid of styrofoam is decades old news in much of the USA. Hopefully we can complete this 90’s era achievement, and enter the new millenium as soon as possible.
SA uses more Styrofoam at restaurants than any other city I have lived in or been to, why? It isn’t cheaper and it doesn’t break down.
Came here to say this. The fact that Bill Millers BBQ, Taco Cabana, and various other quick service restaurants still use styrofoam is just so backwards.
Plastic cups do not keep your drink cold, ad a matter of fact it water downs your drink faster. I have switched from McDonald’s to Whataburger, because of the cup. How about finding a better solution for everyone before we make these changes. Whataburger Please don’t switch to plastic, I love your Styrofoam cup.
There is an environmentally sound solution that would make everyone happy.
Foam is made from polystyrene resin. Specifically, a foam cup is made from expanded polystyrene (EPS). It is recyclable but most recycle centers are not equipped to receive this type of resin. Every recycle plants can take the regular plastic polypropylene cups (like the Bill Miller cup).
There is now a materiel, Expanded Polypropylene, that has all the characteristics or EPS and it’s accepted at all the recycle plants. It keeps the food/drink hot/cold, and won’t sweat and is 100% recyclable.
It’s a relatively new materiel and it’s about double the cost of a foam cup. That’s what Whataburger and Sonic and others aren’t telling you. They just don’t want to double their costs.
This is a phony virtue signaling movement. Styrofoam is used in construction, for cushioning products being shipped, and for drinking cups. A natural product, it is made from oil. Some of it is indeed recyclable, but not all.
Given all the uses (think of those peanuts used for shipping), why pick on Whataburger, the best hamburger chain there is. Personally, I think coffee tastes better in Styrofoam. I buy the cups for use at home.