PORTLAND — The City Council is considering a ban on polystyrene foam.

On Monday night, the council unanimously voted to direct its Transportation and Environmental Sustainability Committee to craft an ordinance to ban the petroleum-based product that cannot be recycled. It is commonly used in disposable coffee cups, coolers, and as cushioning material in packages.

Councilor Ed Suslovic said the directive is inspired by the school district, which in September will no longer use the product in their cafeterias. The schools also compost their food waste.

The foam is currently banned in Freeport, Suslovic said.