Comment on Portland businesses ready to begin life without polystyrene

Coffee shops and restaurants in Portland are ready for the ban that goes into effect Wednesday on polystyrene cups and takeout containers, but it will likely be consumers who foot the bill in the long run, businesses say. The city ordinance, passed in June along with a nickel fee for use of disposable plastic or paper bags, was opposed by some business owners in the city who saw the effort as burdensome to businesses. However, environmentalists looking to reduce the amount of non-biodegradable trash on city streets and in waterways prevailed. “We realize cost and convenience are important … but today’s convenience can become tomorrow’s pollutant,” said Cathy Ramsdell, executive director of Friends of Casco Bay, a proponent of the new rules. At Hannaford Supermarket on Forest Avenue, polystyrene products are already off the shelves, and the store has switched to other materials for certain packaging, such as for meat trays, said Eric Blom, Hannaford spokesman.