Lawmakers in Annapolis today voted to make Maryland the first state in the country to ban foam food packaging that, in all of its convenience for takeout orders, has also degraded the environment for decades.

The Maryland House of Delegates approved Baltimore Del. Brooke Lierman’s bill in a 97-38 vote, exactly a week after the Maryland Senate approved a twin proposal in a 34-13 floor vote. The bills would ban retail sales of polystyrene packaging, and prohibit any restaurants, grocery stores and other food businesses from giving it out starting July 1, 2020.

The bill now heads to Gov. Larry Hogan’s desk, and he could either sign it or let the bill become law without his signature. Both houses have veto-proof majorities.

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