Coffee in foam cups may soon be out of fashion in an Alberta town after Turner Valley town council voted Monday to ban polystyrene, commonly used in food packaging.

Turner Valley, located roughly 60 kilometres south of Calgary, will be the first municipality in Canada to ban the petroleum-based product.

Turner Valley's council wants a report within six months on how to implement and enforce the ban.
(Colin Hall/CBC)

Garry Pollock, the councillor championing the ban, said Monday night's decision was historic.

"We're excited because oil and gas is first recognized to be discovered here in Turner Valley," he said. "It's nice to be on board on Earth Day to be the first in Alberta and in Canada to look at the prohibition of Styrofoam."

The council unanimously agreed to ban local food establishments from using disposable foam cups and plates and local shippers from using polystyrene "popcorn" to keep their items safe in the mail.

The council first wants a report within six months detailing how to implement and enforce a ban. It will then decide what steps to take.

Pollock told radio station CHQR that the plan would likely be developed before the council's next meeting on May 13, with enforcement done partially through monitoring how much foam is being sent to the landfill.

A tower of Styrofoam cups sat in front of town council Monday evening as it voted unanimously to ban the products.
(Colin Hall/CBC)

Bans on plastic foam products already exist in several places in the U.S., including California and Portland.

Councillors said the move is important for the environment, as the foam cannot be recycled and sits for centuries in landfills. When it does break down, the substances can get into the water table.

Mayor Dona Fluter said while polystyrene may be convenient, there are many suitable alternatives, and making the switch is important for being green.

"We have to start being accountable for what we produce. Can we recycle it? There has to be a circle about this. If it's a dead end, it's not a good thing for this world," she said.

"We can make a difference if we don't fill our landfills full of Styrofoam that doesn't biodegrade."

Back to 'old-fashioned ways'

She said that council is asking local businesses to go back to the "old-fashioned ways."

"What we're asking them to do is take a step back, and go back to some of the old-fashioned ways, if you will," she said. "There's too many alternatives out there, it's not necessary to use the Styrofoam."

She added that businesses will be involved as council prepares and plans for the ban, including part of the educational component.

Convenience store cashier Marry MacDonald, who sells hot coffee and eggs packaged in foam daily, said she is ready to join the ban.

"We'll probably have to go to paper cups, but it's good," she said. "It's going to be a good, positive change for the environment."

She added that while the change may increase the price of a cup of coffee, her customers don't seem to mind.

"More for the boys to pay, but they are all for it," she said. "They are all like, 'Let's go for it. It's a change. A positive change.'"