Pittsfield has become the latest western Massachusetts community to ban the use of Styrofoam take-out food containers and coffee cups.

Starting next July, Pittsfield will join Great Barrington, Williamstown, Amherst and South Hadley in outlawing containers made of polystyrene, commonly known as Styrofoam. There’s also pending legislation on Beacon Hill which, if passed, would created a statewide ban. Clint Richmond of the Sierra Club of Massachusetts says some consumers are leading the push.

“It’s certainly something they consider and are asking for,” Richmond says. “Restaurants would be advised to try and satisfy these customer demands for sustainable packaging and non-toxic packaging.”

Ban supporters say foam contains dangerous chemicals and is unfriendly to the environment. Opponents contend the product is perfectly safe and works better than paper or cardboard.