ILLINOIS — State lawmakers are taking big steps to fight plastic pollution in Illinois, moving forward with a proposed ban on polystyrene foam food containers while also launching a comprehensive study to reshape how packaging is handled across the state.
Foam Container Ban Passes Senate
A major highlight of the legislative session is Senate Bill 1531, which would ban the sale and distribution of polystyrene foam food containers across Illinois. This bill passed the Senate in April and now awaits a vote in the House during the upcoming veto session this fall.
State Senator Laura Fine, who introduced the measure, believes the ban is critical for reducing harmful plastic waste, especially in landfills and waterways. Similar efforts in other states like Montana and Nevada failed this year, but Illinois is showing momentum.
Other Packaging Bills in Play
Illinois lawmakers also advanced other notable packaging-related bills:
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HB 1600: Would require plastic utensils and other foodware to be provided only by request (passed House, in Senate).
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HB 3278: Proposes stricter effluent limits related to plastic materials (passed House, in Senate).
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SB 1872 & SB 132: Aimed at plastic bag bans and tethered caps respectively, but these did not advance this session.
While not all bills made progress, the discussions signal a growing urgency in Springfield to address the environmental impacts of packaging.
EPR Study Begins to Reform Packaging Waste System
In parallel, Illinois has kicked off its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) study — a framework where companies that produce packaging will be more responsible for how it’s collected, recycled, or disposed of.
The study stems from legislation passed in 2023, and is now being executed by a contractor, Eunomia, with funding support from the U.S. EPA’s SWIFR (Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling) grant.
At a recent meeting of the Statewide Recycling Needs Assessment Advisory Council, officials said the goal is to deliver a full report by December 1, 2026. Topics under review include:
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Defining who qualifies as a “producer”
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Which materials are covered
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Convenience and accessibility of collection programs
As noted by Christina Seibert of the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County, Illinois will look to learn from states like Oregon and Colorado, where EPR systems are already underway.
Environmental Advocates Urge Progress
Environmental leaders, including Jen Walling of the Illinois Environmental Council, are pushing for foam bans and PFAS restrictions to pass before the EPR framework is finalized. Doing so would help streamline the EPR structure and prevent unnecessary policy overlaps.
“The goal is to reduce plastic waste, create more recycling options, and build a more responsible packaging system,” Walling said.
Illinois’ Past Plastic Policy Wins
Illinois has already taken steps in the right direction, such as:
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Banning small single-use plastic toiletry bottles in hotels
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Requiring recycling and compost access at large events
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Allowing restaurants to refill customers’ containers
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Reducing single-use plastic purchases by state agencies
These moves showcase a continued commitment to sustainability, and the new foam ban and EPR study represent a deeper investment in long-term change.
Do you support Illinois’ push to ban foam containers and hold producers accountable for packaging waste? Share your views with us at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
