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This is not the last drop, but it is close.
A new law means California full-service restaurants are no longer allowed to automatically distribute single-use plastic straws to customers.
Governor Jerry Brown signed the new law on Thursday. It will come into force next year and does not apply to fast food establishments.
The law does not go as far as some California cities, like San Francisco and Santa Barbara, have completely banned plastic straws. But this requires customers who want straws with their drinks to ask for them.
Restaurants that do not comply with the new law will receive two warnings before being fined up to $ 300 a year.
Democrat lawmakers who support the law call it a small step towards reducing ocean pollution.
"Plastic has helped advance innovation in our society, but our craze for single-use ease of use has had disastrous consequences," Brown said in a statement. "Plastics, in all their forms – straws, bottles, packaging, bags, etc. – are stifling the planet".
But critics say that legislation is a government measure that will not significantly improve the environment, while others say that restricting the availability of straw night to people with disabilities who depend on it.
Some Republican lawmakers who voted against the measure said they would unfairly punish the restaurants, although the restaurant sector does not oppose the proposal.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
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