New York City will begin banning restaurants from using plastic foam containers in July

New York City plans to ban food establishments from using plastic foam containers starting July 1.

Mayor Bill de Blasio's (dih BLAH'-zee-ohz) administration says there will be a grace period, without fines, until January 2016.

The administration says the sale of packing peanuts within city limits also will be banned. They can still be used in packages shipped to New York from other places.

Nonprofits and businesses with less than $500,000 in annual revenue could qualify for an exemption from the plastic foam ban. They'd have to prove that using non-foam materials would create financial hardship.

The formal announcement is expected Thursday.