Maryland to Ban Styrofoam

IncSmart Maryland (Small Business and Startups) - Maryland to become the first state to band Styrofoam as lawmakers vote for approval.  The state will become the first in the union to establish a ban, with Hawaii next in line,  The effective date will be July 1st, 2020.  Many counties such as Montgomery and Prince George have already established a ban.  The state is looking to create a cleaner Baltimore Harbor.  Over 100,000 Styrofoam containers washed down Jones Fall in 2018.  

The state will forbid restaurants, coffee shops, hospitals, cafeterias from distributing the product .  Grocery stores will still be allowed to sell meat poultry and fish on Styrofoam trays. The products will include but not limited to cups, plates, bowls and containers.  Violators could face fines up to $250.  This will drive up costs of local restaurants.  Styrofoam is a polystyrene which is created by bubbles of air trapped in plastic.  There are many eco friendly alternatives such as packaging made from mushrooms, cornstarch, bamboo, and paper.