Seattle prohibits straws and plastic utensils

Looking for a plastic straw to sip your soda? If you are in Seattle, you are out of luck. A ban of the city on plastic straws and utensils in bars and restaurants came into effect on Sunday, as part of the latest initiative to reduce waste and prevent marine pollution.

Seattle is considered the first major US city to ban single-use plastic straws and utensils in food services, according to Seattle Public Utilities. The eco-conscious city has been an environmental leader in the United States, striving to aggressively reduce the amount of waste thrown into landfills by demanding more options that can be recycled. or composted . 19659002] The 5,000 restaurants in the city will now have to use reusable or compostable utensils, straws and cocktail picks, although the city is encouraging businesses not to supply straws or use paper instead of plastic straws compostable. I am proud that Seattle is leading the way and is giving the nation the example by enacting a ban on plastic straw, "said Seattle Public Utilities general manager Mami Hara in a statement released last month [19659003] Proposals to ban plastic straws are being considered in other cities, including New York and San Francisco.

In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Theresa May announced a plan in April to ban plastic straws, beverage shakers and plastic swabs, she described plastic wastes as "one of the greatest environmental challenges facing the world." L & # 39; India has vowed to ban all single-use plastics in four years .

The Seattle ban is part of a 2008 ordinance that requires restaurants and other food service companies to find recyclable or compostable alternatives. containers, cups, straws, utensils and other products.

Companies have time to work to comply with the ban, said Jillian Henze, 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)," she said.

The city had granted exemptions for certain products until 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, polluting the water and harming marine life. A "Strawless in Seattle" campaign launched last fall by the Lonely Whale involving more than 100 companies voluntarily allowed the removal of 2.3 million disposable plastic straws.

Elsewhere in the United States, the anti-plastic movement has had mixed success. In Hawaii, legislation banning plastic straws is dead this year, with corporate groups including the Hawaii Restaurant Association and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, who have testified against this measure. The furniture giant Ikea said that it would remove plastics by 2020, while McDonald's resisted the study of the problem.

Small towns in California, including Malibu and San Luis Obispo, have restricted the use of plastic straws. San Luis Obispo requires that single-use straws be provided in restaurants, bars and cafes only when customers request them. Officials say that most customers will say "no" if they are asked if they want a straw.

Proponents say that it will take more than banning plastic straws to limit ocean pollution, but that's a good first step. conversation about waste and ocean conservation. According to some estimates, Americans use 500 million plastic straws every day, parts of the ocean now containing more plastic than fish .

Seattle urged companies to use their stocks of 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 subject to a fine of up to $ 250. companies to make the changes.