Korea Times, News Report, Cheol Soo Kim, Translated by Peter Schurmann, Posted: Sep 09, 2011

Korean grocery stores and restaurants in California told the Korea Times that the passage of SB568, which sought to impose a statewide ban on the use of polystyrene takeout packaging, would more than double their operating costs.

"Take out accounts for upwards of 30 percent of business for most Korean restaurants," said the owner of one eatery in LA's Koreatown, adding that while options to using polystyrene are available, the costs are formidable. "There's a good chance [if the bill passes] that take out places will take a big hit in sales as they will have to raise prices to offset the costs of using alternative packaging."

While a number of cities and counties across the state already have similar bans in place, SB568 marks California’s first statewide initiative to prohibit the use of the material.

In its article, the times noted that state manufacturers of polystyrene packaging, which include Pactiv Corp. and Dart Container Corp., lobbied hard against the bill, which failed to reach the floor late this week. Opponents argued that the bill, sponsored by State Sen. Alan Lowelthall (D) of Long Beach, would have led to further job losses across the state.

Supporters insist, however, that they will continue to push for passage of the ban. “The battle over this bill is not done,” Miriam Gordon of California-based Clean Water Action said in a separate report. “It is poised to be heard on the Assembly floor next year.”

The head of LA's Korean American Restaurant Association, meanwhile, told the Korea Times that despite the relative cheapness of polystyrene many businesses have in fact already transitioned over to using other packaging, adding that manufacturers might also find opportunities to produce more environmentally friendly alternatives.