Nassau Executive Laura Curran signed into a law Tuesday a ban on the sale and distribution of Styrofoam containers in the county.

The Legislature voted unanimously last month to adopt the bill, which was co-sponsored by Legislators Debra Mule, Denise Ford and Laura Schaefer.

In prepared remarks, Curran called the ban “a big step toward the future.”

“Non-biodegradable polystyrene can’t be recycled like most products. So, while that coffee may be finished, the Styrofoam cup that was holding it won’t be,” she says.

Styrofoam has been classified as a carcinogen and in most cases is not biodegradable.

Nassau businesses will have until Jan. 1, 2020 to use up their reserve of existing containers before the ban takes place.

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