Background                                                                                      

At the April 2016 Town Meeting, Concord residents voted to enact a bylaw which bans polystyrene (EPS foam and #6 Rigid Plastic) food service ware and packaging in Concord FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS.  

RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS are permitted to sell polystyrene products as long as environmentally friendly alternatives are clearly displayed in the store. The general intent of the bylaw is to reduce negative environmental and health impacts of polystyrene products via the use of alternative products. The bylaw goes into effect January 1, 2017.

For questions pertaining to the bylaw, contact Concord Public Works at 978-318-3240.

Additional information can be found on the Polystyrene Education and Outreach Committee web page.

2025 Update: Resumption of Polystyrene Ban Enforcement

As of June 1, 2025, the Concord Health Division will resume enforcement of the Bylaw Prohibiting Polystyrene in Food Service Wares. This bylaw, originally enacted in 2017, prohibits food establishments from using polystyrene (commonly known as Styrofoam™ or #6 rigid plastic) in food service ware and packaging. Retail establishments may still sell polystyrene food service products if alternative options are also offered.

A memo outlining these updates was mailed to all Concord food establishments and retailers in December 2024.

Businesses seeking relief from the bylaw may apply for a waiver. Waivers are granted on a case-by-case basis by the Concord Board of Health, and applications must demonstrate undue hardship, such as lack of reasonable alternatives or significant economic difficulty.

• Waiver applications are due by May 1, 2025.

• Enforcement by the Health Division will begin again on June 1, 2025.

For more details contact the Concord Health Division at 978-318-3275.