Sarah Trafton is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media Greene County lawmakers are considering legislation to ban polystyrene, or Styrofoam, countywide. Cairo representative, Republican William Lawrence has been working on the legislation for several years and believes the timing is now right to take action. “Originally the bill [for Styrofoam] focused on chain stores but I think its time we do away with it,” he said. Lawrence worked with former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Judith Enck on the latest version of the law. Enck, a Cairo native, made a presentation on the proposal to the Greene County Legislature August 7. Ulster, Albany and Suffolk counties, as well as New York City, have already banned Styrofoam, Enck said. "...I think we should remind everyone that we want to keep Greene County green,” she said. Restaurants can switch to alternative materials for takeout containers such as aluminum or cardboard, Enck said, adding that many businesses have already made the transition. Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden said a concern that county officials had when they last considered the idea of a polystyrene ban was the expense of alternative products. Legislature Chairman Patrick Linger agreed. Linger is a Republican and he represents New Baltimore. “How much regulation can we put on local businesses if it’s going to be a hardship?” he said. “If it happens on a state level, it’s an even playing field.” No action was taken on the proposed ban, but legislators were asked to review the document. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.