State legislators are reviving efforts to implement a ban on disposable foam containers.

Senate Bill 1109 is designed to “protect the state’s environment and economy by prohibiting the use of polystyrene containers by food vendors,” according to the bill.

Polystyrene, or Styrofoam, has been cause for concern for environmentalists, outdoor enthusiasts and eco-conscious citizens. Both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party have made the reduction of foam pollution a priority for 2017.

SB 1109 supporters are concerned about the current difficulty of foam removal from beaches and water, as polystyrene is lightweight and fragile, making litter cleanup tedious and costly. The small pieces of foam are often consumed by marine life.

The arguments for and against have come up before.

In 2014 testimony to the City Council, Suzanne Frazier, co-founder of Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawaii, listed alternatives to polystyrene, such as biodegradable fibers derived from sugar cane and vegetables that are free from harmful chemicals. The Surfrider Foundation and the Kokua Foundation have also voiced support of abandoning foam.

The Hawaii Food Industry Association has opposed foam bans in the past, saying they could “increase costs for consumers and provide no upside for the environment.”

Opponents of SB 1109 have also mentioned foam will continue to drift onto Hawaii’s beaches from Pacific Rim countries whose environmental regulations may be more lax.

In written testimony to City Council members in 2014, Eddie Flores, CEO of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, expressed concern about the financial burden of a polystyrene ban. Flores said a common problem with containers and utensils made of alternative substances, such as paper, is they are not strong enough for hot and viscous foods like gravy or soup. Without foam the expenses L&L allocates to food containers would increase fourfold, Flores wrote.

Sen. Will Espero (D, Ewa Beach-Iroquois Point), the measure’s sponsor, said the market could adjust to a foam ban as consumers become accustomed to moderately higher prices if eco-friendly materials are adopted by food vendors.

“It’s not as if it cannot be a part of any business model or that it’s going to make or break certain establishments,” he said. “It’s just an adaptation due to environmental concerns.”

Espero suggested hemp as an alternative to foam containers and plates, and said a tax break may be possible in the future for businesses that purchase eco-friendly containers.

Co-sponsors of the bill are Sens. Karl Rhoads (D, Downtown-Nuuanu-Liliha) and Maile Shimabukuro (D, Kalaeloa-Waianae-Makaha). The ban would begin Jan. 1 and apply to vendors unless their county has a polystyrene recycling program or the state Health Department grants an exemption.

The bill was referred to the Senate committees on Agriculture and the Environment, and Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, which will hold a public hearing at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday in Room 224 of the state Capitol.