As of Jan. 1, 2026, New York has expanded its ban on polystyrene foam food service containers and single-use plastic bottles for personal care products at hotels.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation says the expansion means no covered food service business will be allowed to sell or distribute polystyrene foam containers that are not enclosed within a more durable container and are designed or intended to be used for cold storage, including, but not limited to, coolers and ice chests.

It also means hotels, apartment hotels, motels or boarding houses with fewer than 50 rooms are now prohibited from providing any small plastic bottle containing less than 12 ounces of personal care products like shampoo, conditioner, moisturizers and soaps/body wash.

According to the DEC, polystyrene foam and plastic bottles are top contributors of environmental litter. The products do not biodegrade easily and can remain in landfills for a long time. When they do begin to deteriorate, they can release micro and nano plastics that can negatively impact humans, wildlife and local ecosystems.  

The agency also says polystyrene foam containers and packing peanuts are not accepted in most recycling programs in New York because the foam is difficult to recycle and has a low value. 

New York has already banned the sale or distribution of polystyrene foam disposable food service containers, including cups, bowls, plates and trays, as well as polystyrene foam packing peanuts, since 2022.