* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Cohen
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Request for State Action - Support SB 186/ HB 229
For the purpose of calling on the General Assembly to enact, and the Governor to sign, SB 186/ HB 229, or similar legislation banning the use of polystyrene foam food containers to protect Marylanders from the unsustainable costs these containers currently impose on our personal, environmental, and economic health.
body
Recitals
Polystyrene foam, commonly called Styrofoam, is well established to have disproportionate negative impacts on our communities. Although often on paper the cheapest alternative for some purposes, the costs it imposes on human health, our waterways, environmental sustainability, climate stability, and our economy as a whole make it a far too expensive product for Marylanders once these true costs are factored in.
Despite its common use as a food container, the main chemical in Styrofoam, styrene, has been found to contain carcinogenic chemicals and is linked to increased risks of tumors, leukemia, lymphoma, and miscarriages. It’s persistence as it accumulates through the food chain allows it be immediately dangerous when food is heated in Styrofoam containers, and even more dangerous when consumers eat seafood taken from styrine polluted waters.
Not only do the most dangerous chemicals in Styrofoam persist over time, th containers themselves do not meaningfully break ...
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