Importation of Styrofoam will no longer be allowed in Guyana as of April 1.

The country’s Ministry of Finance is considering tax incentives for importers who are interested in bringing in alternatives.

The Environmental Protection Agency is spearheading the prohibition.

The Government has been arguing that Styrofoam, which is highly popular in the food business as containers, takes more than 500 years to biodegrade, and because of its lightweight nature can easily travel through gutters, storm drains, or in the wind, and reach the ocean.

It has been a major problem since the new administration took office last year and started a city clean-up.