[Correction: Styrofoam is not used to make food containers, a representative from Dow Chemical confirmed earlier today. Styrofoam is used in construction, crafting and floral projects, but the foam used in food containers is made using a different chemical process. Sept 24]

Some town residents are foaming at the mouth to be rid of foam food containers--or more accurately, they feel strongly enough to write a warrant article that would ban them.

The warrant articles have not yet been approved by the Board of Selectmen, who will vote on the proposed warrant at an upcoming meeting. However, the polystelene ban and a move to limit plastic bags are both included in the version which the Board saw last night (Sept. 11). 

Margery Eagan talked with the petitioner about the proposed plastic foam ban, in a column for the Boston Herald, who told Eagan she felt it was "the right thing to do."

Petitioner Nancy Heller told the Herald columnist, "It always bothered me when I went to certain coffee shops and the cups were made of Styrofoam. I don’t want to name them, but Styrofoam is an environmental hazard in the world.”

See the Herald for the full column. 

Although it is not actually used to make food containers, name Styrofoam is sometimes used to describe the foam food containers which which will be included in the ban. Styrofoam is instead used in construction, craft and some floral projects. 

At the last Town Meeting, earlier this year, Brookline banned the sale of tobacco to anyone under the age of 19. High School students proposed both that article, and one stepping up enforcement of emissions standards and the no-idling by-law. 

Last fall's Town Meeting also banned the use of gas-powered leaf blowers, which will be lifted on Saturday.