Restaurant owner could 'go broke' under blue state's proposed to-go packaging ban, he warns

House Bill 5524 would prohibit restaurants and other food service businesses from using polystyrene, commonly known as Styrofoam, for takeout, while also limiting items like utensils, napkins and straws.

Pedro Garcia, owner of Mo's Midtown Restaurant in Hartford, said takeout makes up between 30% and 50% of his business, making container choice a critical part of the takeout experience. 

"For me, it's more convenient," he added. 

It's a concern shared by other operators, who say certain foods don't travel as well in other types of packaging.

The bill would also require customers to request utensils and napkins rather than receiving them automatically.

Customers may forget to ask and blame restaurants when items are missing, Garcia argued. 

He added that lawmakers should conduct more outreach to restaurant owners before establishing a law that could shake up their business model. 

"They should - because then we'll have to be stuck with this. Or we go broke," Garcia said.

Industry groups are also warning the changes could affect day-to-day operations and costs.

The proposal would add "operational and financial strain" to an industry already dealing with rising costs and labor challenges, the Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association (CRHA) said in a statement.

The changes could slow prep times, require additional training and generally cause unnecessary friction, according to Milos Eric, the Florida-based co-founder of OysterLink, a hospitality jobs platform.

While alternatives exist, including paper-based packaging, no one solution works for every situation, he said. 

"Most alternatives do not provide the same insulation as Styrofoam," Eric pointed out.

Some Connecticut restaurants have already moved away from Styrofoam.

At Acme Burger in Middletown, which uses cardboard containers, General Manager Branden Bullock said the choice has worked overall, though questions remain about convenience, particularly when it comes to providing utensils, WFSB reported.

Acme Burger customers often pick up food to eat on a picnic at the nearby Harbor Park, which sits on the Connecticut River. 

Lawmakers backing the bill say the proposal is part of a broader effort to address growing waste challenges, modernize the state's trash and recycling systems and reduce the amount of waste sent out of state.

Similar efforts in Connecticut have failed in past sessions. 

The measure is under review by the legislature's Environment Committee and has not yet advanced to a full vote. 

If approved, the measure would take effect in 2028.

It would add Connecticut to the list of states that have enacted similar restrictions on Styrofoam takeout containers, including California, New York, New Jersey and Washington. 

Virginia is also phasing in a similar ban, which will apply to all food vendors statewide by July 2026, according to reports.

Fox News Digital reached out to the bill's sponsors, as well as the CRHA, for additional comment.