Maryland’s Senate voted on Tuesday to ban foam containers for food and drink to fight pollution.
The proposal now goes to the Maryland House of Delegates and if it passes there and gets signed by the governor, Maryland will become the first state in the country to do so. Washington D.C. passed a Styrofoam ban in 2014.
Styrofoam, also known as expanded polystyrene, is mostly air, which makes it economically unattractive for recycling. It also doesn’t break down, which means it sticks around a long time.
The measure was introduced by Maryland Senator Cheryl Kagan, a democrat who says the ban will help protect the Chesapeake Bay. The bill has its opponents who say it will hurt small businesses. The Senate vote was 34-13.
You can read more about it in this article from The Hill.
