A proposal before state legislators that would ban foam food containers drew considerable support at a packed hearing last week.

The Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs passed the bill Wednesday after hearing testimony largely in favor of the ban.

Representatives of the Surfrider Foundation, Kokua Foundation, Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawaii, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Young Americans for Progressive Action and student clubs of regional high schools voiced support of the ban.

K. Yamada Distributors, a company that specializes in packaging and shipping, voiced its opposition to the bill, explaining that SB 1109 would lead to job loss and that businesses should have the freedom to choose which materials to use.

Former owner of Styrophobia, Ari Patz, who is now Hawaii and Pacific regional manager for World Centric, said he is against the use of polystyrene but doesn’t want it to be banned. “I want to educate everybody to the point where legislation isn’t needed. That is my desire for any change. Let’s educate people and allow them to make decisions.”

Hawaii is one of the biggest consumers of polystyrene containers in the United States, with the average resident consuming roughly 100 plate lunches per year, according to Patz.

Foam has been identified as a main contributor to waste accumulation, along with plastic bags, according to testimony given by Rafael Bergstrom of the Surfrider Foundation.