The Issaquah City Council sustainability committee will consider the city’s proposed ordinance to prohibit polystyrene food packaging.

The proposed ordinance would prohibit the use of these food storage containers from food service businesses and city operations as part of the city’s waste prevention and recycling programs. Recyclable or compostable food service containers and service ware would be required alternatives. The ordinance, if approved, would go into effect Jan. 1, 2010.

Polystyrene food packages are petroleum based, which cannot be recycled in Washington, and therefore ends up in landfills, according to the city. The city has an aggressive recycling program with the goal of diverting up to 65 percent of waste away from landfills.

Once the ordinance is reviewed by the sustainability committee it will go back to the council where staff has encouraged authorization.