PUSHING OUT PLASTIC
Legislature OKs adding cutlery, stirrers, condiments packs to ‘Skip the Straw’ law
The Ulster County Legislature has added plastic stirrers, plastic cutlery and single-serve condiment packets to a local law that already makes plastic straws an on-demand only commodity in county restaurants.
Legislators approved the addition of the items by a 13-9 vote Tuesday night.
All members of the Legislature’s Democratic caucus, as well as Legislators Heidi Haynes, CStone Ridge, and Dean Fabiano, R-Saugerties, voted in favor of the measure.
All other members of the Republican caucus voted against adding those items to the county’s “Skip the Straw” law, which went into effect earlier this month.
The Legislature approved
Ulster County previously enacted a ban on single-use plastic retail bags, and that prohibition took effect in July.
“Skip the Straw” in May, and County Executive Pat Ryan signed the legislation in June.
Ulster County previously enacted a ban on single-use plastic retail bags, and that prohibition took effect in July. A statewide ban on such bags takes effect in March 2020.
County Legislator Brian Woltman, R-Kingston,
who was among those who voted against expanding the straw law, said he was concerned about enforcement and the fact that the law carries penalties for businesses that continue to provide the items unrequested.
Likewise, Legislator Mary Wawro, C-Saugerties, said that rather than impose new requirements on business owners, the county should look to “partner with businesses to eliminate single-use plastic from the waste stream.”
Legislator Laura Petit, IPort Ewen, called expanded law “a very good second step to get the public to realize we have more than a crisis on our hands.” She said the change will benefit businesses by reducing their expenses for the plastic
items.
“Wherever you stand, whether its environmental or economical, this is the right thing to do,” she said.
The measure now goes to Ryan, who must hold a public hearing before acting on it.