"The concern, according to a Dec. 10 statement from the county, is that people often only use the cheap boards - made from what we commonly call Styrofoam, after chemical company DuPont's brand name - for a short time before tossing them. The boards easily break into bits, which pile up in landfills and pose risks for wildlife. The law "encourages a shift toward durable bodyboards made from high-density polyethylene or polypropylene, which have a longer lifespan and reduced environmental impact," the county office stated."
"In California, a ban on the same foam in single-use food service ware took effect on Jan. 1, 2025, but there have been issues with compliance. There are problems with the material: It doesn't biodegrade, leaves microplastics in the ocean, harms marine mammals and seabirds that eat the pieces and is a human carcinogen, according to environmental group Beyond Plastics."
Kauai's mayor signed an ordinance banning sale, rental and distribution of disposable polystyrene (Styrofoam) bodyboards in the County of Kauai, with the ban taking effect in one year. The ban targets cheap, short-lived foam boards that break into pieces, accumulate in landfills and pose hazards to wildlife. The measure promotes a shift to durable bodyboards made from high-density polyethylene or polypropylene with longer lifespans and lower environmental impact. The County Council passed the ordinance unanimously, following similar actions on other islands such as Maui. Environmental concerns include microplastic pollution, harm to marine mammals and seabirds, and health risks associated with the material.
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