The House of Representatives in the Northern Marianas has passed a bill that would ban the use of styrofoam food containers.
It has now gone to the Senate for deliberation.
If passed there, a ban would come into force from the 1st of January 2022.
It would ban styrofoam packaging for takeaways, packaged meat, eggs, bakery products and leftovers at restaurants.
It, however, excludes polystyrene foam coolers or ice chests that are used for the processing or shipping of seafood and "emergency use."
The other exemption is food or beverages that come pre-packaged with Styrofoam at wholesale.
The bill has set a civil fine of not more than US$100 per violation.
Under the legislation, the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality, Division of Environmental Quality may promulgate rules and regulations to implement the law.
