Banned...

Maryland could become the first state to ban expanded polystyrene food service products.

The measure bans the sale of Styrofoam. It also would prohibit the sale of food in foam cups, plates or egg cartons.

Since expanded polystyrene is 95 percent air, it is not worth the cost of recycling once it is processed and cleaned.

Critics say the measure would harm small farmers who use egg cartons or nonprofits that buy expanded polystyrene in bulk, the outlet noted.

"We're just saying small Maryland businesses can't use these products. But the big, large businesses from outside the state can ship these products into Maryland," Maryland Republican Minority Whip Sen. Stephen Hershey said.

Many large cities, individually, banned these products from use.