Roger Hannigan Gilson reports in the Times Union that polystyrene foam containers are banned in New York as of New Year's Day. No more Styrofoam take out containers or so-called packing peanuts will be allowed as of Jan. 1. Polystyrene foam breaks apart easily but takes hundreds of years to biodegrade, and is difficult to recycle. Many communities have already banned polystyrene foam, as two-thirds of New Yorkers already live where it is not allowed. Only nonprofits and government agencies that provide food to low-income people at no cost can continue using the material after Jan. 1. Read more about this story in the Times Union.