Seattle banned plastic straws, utensils in restaurants, bars

SEATTLE – Looking for a plastic straw to sip your soda? It is no longer allowed in Seattle's bars and restaurants.

There are also no plastic utensils in the last effort to reduce waste and prevent pollution by marine plastics. Businesses that sell food or beverages will not be allowed to offer plastic items under a rule that came into effect on Sunday.

Seattle would be the first big city in the United States to ban single-use plastic straws and utensils. , according to Seattle Public Utilities. The eco-friendly city has been an environmental leader in the United States, striving to aggressively reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills by demanding more options that can be recycled or composted.

compostable utensils, straws and cocktail picks, although the city encourages companies not to supply straws or use paper rather than compostable plastic straws.

"Plastic pollution exceeds crisis levels in the world's oceans. Seattle is leading the way and is setting the example for the nation by adopting a ban on plastic straw, "said Seattle Public Utilities general manager Mami Hara in a statement released last month

. York and San Francisco

In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Theresa May announced in April a plan to ban the sale of plastic straws, to drink cotton buds with plastic rods. "One of the biggest environmental challenges facing the world."

California small towns, including Malibu and San Luis Obispo, have restricted the use of plastic straws. that single-use straws are provided in restaurants, bars and cafes only when customers ask for them.The city officials said that most guests would say "no" if asked to do so. want a straw.

The idea met resistance in Hawaii, where legislation banning plastic straws died this year, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser The Seattle Ban is part of a 2008 ordinance Forcing restaurants and other foodservice companies to find recyclable or compostable alternatives to disposable containers, cups, straws, utensils and other products.

Companies have time to work to comply with the ban, said Jillian Henze, a spokeswoman for the Seattle Restaurant Alliance, an industry trade group. "We have almost had a year to look for products to protect the environment and offer customers a good experience (with alternatives)."

The city granted exemptions for certain products until alternatives could be found. With several manufacturers offering alternatives, the city has left the exemption for plastic utensils and glitters to turn off during the weekend.

Environmental advocates have pushed restaurants and other businesses to abandon single-use straws, saying that they could not be recycled. end up in the ocean, pollute the water and harm marine life.

A "Strawless in Seattle" campaign last fall by the Lonely Whale involving more than 100 companies voluntarily contributed to removing 2.3 million single-use plastic straws. According to him, it will take more than ban plastic straws to limit the pollution of the oceans, but abandoning them is a good first step and a way to start a conversation about waste and ocean conservation.

Seattle urges companies to deplete their stocks of plastic utensils and straws before Sunday. Those who were not able to exhaust their supply were invited to work with the city according to a compliance schedule.

Companies that do not comply may be fined up to $ 250, but city officials say they will work with companies to make the changes.

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