Montgomery County Considering Styrofoam Ban

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Lawmakers in Montgomery County are proposing legislation that would ban the use of plastic foam food containers.

On Tuesday, Councilmember Hans Riemer introduced the bill banning the use of Styrofoam containers in restaurants, supermarkets and institutional cafeterias in the county. Riemer says the containers hurt the environment.

The county already has a Styrofoam ban in place in its cafeterias, and Montgomery schools are phasing out their use of foam food service trays. The proposed legislation would also ban the sale of foam packing peanuts.

Montgomery County's proposed ban is similar to legislation already passed by lawmakers in the District of Columbia. The city's ban will take effect starting in 2016.

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