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Judge overturns NYC Ban On Plastic Foam Containers

Joefaust, Wikimedia Commons

A New York Supreme Court judge has overturned New York City's ban on plastic foam containers.

In a decision made public Tuesday, Margaret Chan found the city Department of Sanitation's commissioner's order banning the product to be arbitrary and capricious. The ban was spearheaded by then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg and supported by current Mayor Bill de Blasio . It went into effect July 1.

Officials estimate 28,500 tons of dirty plastic foam end up in city landfills every year.

In April, a group of manufacturers, recyclers and restaurants sued to stop the ban. They argued the containers could be effectively recycled in a way that saves the city money.

Chan found the city could save $400,000 recycling 40 percent of its wasted plastic foam.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.

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