Plastic straws, utensils banned in Seattle eateries
Recyclable/compostable items now required in city’s restaurants, bars
SEATTLE — Looking for a plastic straw to sip your soda? It’s no longer allowed in Seattle bars and restaurants.
Neither are plastic utensils in the latest push to reduce waste and prevent marine plastic pollution. Businesses that sell food or drinks won’t be allowed to offer the plastic items under the new rule.
Seattle is believed to be the first major U.S. city to ban single-use plastic straws and utensils in food service, according to Seattle Public Utilities. The eco-conscious city has been an environmental leader in the U.S., working to curb the amount of trash that goes into landfills by requiring more options that can be recycled or composted.
The city’s 5,000 restaurants — including Starbucks outlets — will now have to use reusable or compostable utensils, straws and cocktail picks, though the city is encouraging businesses to consider not providing straws altogether or switch to paper straws.
“Plastic pollution is surpassing crisis levels in the world’s oceans, and I’m proud Seattle is … setting an example for the nation by enacting a plastic straw ban,” Seattle Public Utilities General Manager Mami Hara said in a statement.
Proposals to ban plastic straws are being considered in other cities, including New York and San Francisco.
California’s Legislature is considering statewide restrictions, but not an outright ban, on single-use plastic straws. It would block restaurants from providing straws, but would still allow a customer to request one. It’s passed the state Assembly and now awaits action in the Senate.
In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Theresa May announced in April a plan to ban the sale of plastic straws, drink stirrers and plasticstemmed cotton buds. She called plastic waste “one of the greatest environmental challenges facing the world.”