Yarmouth Board of Health grants temporary plastics waivers to multiple food businesses, asks updates on alternatives

The Yarmouth Board of Health on May 18 granted a series of temporary waivers from the town’s plastics reduction rules to local food businesses that said they need time to exhaust inventory and find viable food‑safe alternatives.

Small operators from Andrea’s West Fish & Lobster to The Loft restaurant and several ice‑cream vendors told the board they have substantial on‑hand stocks of plastic containers, lids and spoons that cannot be replaced immediately. Andrea Shester, owner of Andrea’s West Fish & Lobster, told the board, "I'm here to request waiver for the plastics ... I am looking just to have it extended to the end of my season," saying she needs to use existing stock through October.

Board members repeatedly cited food‑safety and product‑presentation considerations as reasons to provide limited relief for certain items while urging each business to move to certified compostable or other approved substitutes. The board voted to approve temporary waivers with deadlines tied to the end of each business’s season or to December, depending on the applicant, and asked proprietors to report back when supplies run low.

Stop & Shop asked for broader relief because of supply chain limitations for large‑scale grocery packaging. "Plastic packaging is currently used across all of our departments," said Joe Crosio, Stop & Shop quality assurance specialist, adding that some prepared‑food items require packaging that maintains heat, prevents leaks and meets multi‑day storage needs. The board approved limited waivers for categories Stop & Shop identified as 1, 2, 3 and 5 and set a September check‑in to assess vendor availability of non‑plastic options.

Not every scheduled applicant appeared; Sea Dog Brew Pub missed its slot and staff will follow up. For businesses granted waivers the board attached conditions: the health department may require sighting of hazard/spill plans where relevant, and businesses were asked to contact Health Department staff (Phil) when they shift to compliant packaging so the department can close the waiver.

The board framed the waivers as temporary, not a change to the town’s regulation, and emphasized continued vendor outreach and peer sharing of sources for acceptable compostable products. Several vendors referenced supplier lists provided by the town and said they were already testing alternatives such as compostable cutlery,