Could Maryland Make History as First State to Enact a Styrofoam Ban?

Today is already a momentous occasion for one of Promo Marketing’s neighbors to the South, as more than 6 million folks are celebrating Maryland Day, the acknowledgement of the first European settlers’ landing in the then-Providence of Maryland. Come a little more than 15 months from now, though, the population could have even more cause to celebrate, as their State House of Delegates passed a bill that would ban Styrofoam containers, cups and food packaging within their environs.

The March 12 vote yielded a pretty definitive call for local leaders to make their turf more environmentally conscious, and would grant Maryland distinction as the first state to enact such a ban. Not all examples of the aforementioned items would be subject to the ban, but enough would fall under the legislation to give Maryland bragging rights in the growing quest to diminish Styrofoam’s reach.

Maryland looks to become the 1st to implement a state-wide ban on Styrofoam containers. House of Delegates passed bill banning polystyrene cups & containers, next step: bill heads to @GovLarryHogan.

Via @foodandwine https://t.co/H3Hcz8DSK8

— Conservation Intl (@ConservationOrg) March 25, 2019

Since Miami and New York City, not to mention Washington, D.C. have already implemented such a measure, it might have made sense for Florida or New York State to grab the headlines as the first state to be so adamant about protecting the public from Styrofoam’s bad reputation. But Maryland is no slouch in demanding for change, with The Baltimore Sun noting that counties have already rejected Styrofoam's continued use. Since the plan would affect the entire state, Gov. Larry Hogan has the next say, with the publication noting that the Republican leader has not yet voiced his position on whether he would sign the bill. Since Styrofoam has fallen out of favor with McDonald’s and appears to be meeting the same cold shoulder from Dunkin’, Hogan will likely engage in ample discussions with proponents of the ban, which could take effect July 1, 2020.

Because that timeframe would include a chance for existing users of Styrofoam goods to phase out their stock, the aftermath of that clearance and institution of new packaging options will definitely catch a few headlines. Maryland, thanks to its 19th-ranked population total, is no minor economic business partner and, as one should expect, there has been backlash to the whole idea of ridding the state of Styrofoam products, according to the same newspaper and a local TV station.

Viewpoint: Maryland can protect environment without banning styrofoam https://t.co/O3VJBjSY8k

— Baltimore Business Journal (@BaltBizOnline) March 19, 2019

That publication and other accounts of the bill do not mention by when Hogan might nix or agree to the ban, so it will be interesting to see if he gives Maryland added attention by signing it or if he leaves another state’s lawmakers the opportunity to legislate their way to a history-making decision. If the ban proposal were to become a law, would you expect for other states to follow with similar ideas?