JUPITER COUNCIL TO HONE IN ON STRAWS
JUPITER — Town officials will discuss the possibility of implementing an education program to teach residents and visitors about how single-use plastic straws can harm the environment.
Thursday’s special town council meeting will be the first time councilors meet after the beach committee last month unanimously recommended an educational resolution on the issue of plastic straws, rather than an ordinance that would bring fines against violators.
Educational methods, as outlined in a strategy from town staff called Plastic Use Reduction Encouragement, or PURE, include screening the documentary “Straws,” promoting the campaign on social media and possibly expanding the education outreach to involve other plastics like lids and bottles.
The proposed resolution directs the town to encourage businesses to provide biodegradable straws instead of plastic straws, and residents to stop using or “politely refuse to accept” them at local businesses.
The resolution would take effect immediately if approved.
Jupiter resident Marilu Cristina Flores drafted the proposed ordinance, which she hoped would be used to keep businesses from automatically giving out plastic straws with drinks, and instead provide “upon-request” straws made from biodegradable paper, glass, bamboo or stainless steel.
Flores told The Palm Beach Post that her inspiration came from volunteering with the Surfrider Foundation, which aims to protect the ocean, and by seeing cities across the country, including Miami Beach, pass similar ordinances.
Since plastic straws can’t be recycled, they break down into microplastics that pollute oceans and are mistakenly eaten by marine animals.
Even though the committee didn’t recommend her ordinance, she said “a resolution is a win.”
Beach committee members and town manager Matt Benoit had been hesitant about imposing fines because it would be a hardship for businesses and for the town to properly enforce, they said.
The town council meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday in council chambers at Jupiter Town Hall, 210 Military Trail.