Two members of County Council are pitching a bill that would ban the use of environmentally harmful styrofoam plates, trays, cups and carryout trays in Montgomery County.

Councilmembers Hans Riemer and George Leventhal introduced bill 41-14 on Tuesday. It would enact the ban beginning Jan. 1, 2016. The bill would closely mirror a similar bill signed this year in D.C. and also ban the sale of foam loose fill packaging (packing peanuts).

“Many studies have shown that these foam products, especially those used for take out food, makes up a substantial portion of the waste found in our waterways,” Riemer said in a statement. “It never biodegrades, but it breaks apart, making it especially difficult to clean up. Recyclable and compostable alternatives are readily available and competitively priced, so there is no reason for any establishment to continue using foam products.”

Julie Lawson, from a network of environmental groups called Trash Free Maryland, said clean-up volunteers often have trouble picking up tiny pieces of styrofoam foodware. Polystyrene foam is a petroleum-based plastic that has also been banned in various ways in San Francisco, Seattle and New York City.

“This bill is another great step forward in protecting our environment. In 2012, I sponsored a resolution banning the use of polystyrene foodware by County government, and I applaud the recent decision of Montgomery County Public Schools to stop using polystyrene lunch trays. Because MCPS was able to make this transition, I am confident that the private sector will be able to as well, and we are giving them more than a year to comply,” Leventhal said in a statement.

The Council will hold a public hearing on the measure on Oct. 14 and the Council’s Environment Committee is set to hold a worksession on Oct. 30.