The movement to end plastic straws is here!

Did you know these US cities have either BANNED or LIMITED the use of plastic straws? 

Take a look at what's happening around the country!

California

AB1884 - Majority Leader Ian Calderon (D-Whittier) authored this statewide measure, which calls upon dine-in restaurants to have a straws-upon-request-only policy. This bill has bill already passed the CA assembly and senate, but still needs the approval of our CA Governor Jerry Brown.

CALL TO ACTION!

Please call CA Governor Jerry Brown at: 916.445.2841. Ask him to sign AB1884 to stop plastic pollution and reduce the overwhelming amount of single-use plastic Californian's consume on a daily basis.

1. Alameda
   Last September, the Alameda City Council took a giant step toward reducing plastic litter in our environment by passing the Alameda Disposable Food Service Ware Reduction Law. This law includes straws-upon-request-only rules, and also encourages business to provide compostable and fiber-based packaging for to-go items when reusables are not an option. 
    
2. Berkeley
   Last April, Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín introduced "Disposable-Free Dining." This legislation requires restaurants use reusable dishes and takeout foodware from a pre-approved list of recyclables. Vendors will charge 25 cents for disposable beverage cups or food containers provided. Disposable utensils,straws and napkins will be provided only upon request. They hope the legislation will be enacted as early as July 2019.
    
3. Carmel
   Carmel City Council made a historic decision on Oct. 3, voting unanimously to ban plastic straws and utensils for restaurants and food vendors. Starting Jan. 1, 2018, restaurants must provide beverage straws and disposable to-go utensils only upon request. Starting April 22, 2018, restaurants and food vendors must utilize disposable food service ware that is biodegradable, compostable, or recyclable.
    
4. Davis
   On June 6, 2017 the City Council passed the Beverage Straw Ordinance with three key points: 1) This ordinance applies to any restaurant which provides food or drink for dine-in customers. 2) Sit-down restaurants will be required to ask customers if they want a straw before providing one. 3) This ordinance does not apply to take-out food orders at any restaurant, fast-food establishment, café, or deli.
    
5. Malibu
   Beginning June, 1 2018, the City started enforcing the prohibition of the use, distribution, and sale of single-use plastic straws, stirrers, and cutlery items in all retail stores and restaurants within Malibu City limits. The City is actively working with local businesses to adopt alternatives to plastic. Malibu City Ordinance No. 432 was adopted on February 26, 2018.
    
6. Manhattan Beach
   On June 5, 2018, the Manhattan Beach City Council adopted an ordinance updating the Municipal Code to prohibit single-use plastic straws, utensils, and stirrers. This is paired with an upon-request-only policy for non-plastic disposable items. Only straws and utensils made from non-plastic materials, such as wood, metal, bamboo, fiber, glass are allowed. 
    
7. Oakland
   As of July 1, 2018, alll restaurants must adopt a straws-upon-request-onlypolicy. Take-out food orders are exempt from the requirements. 
    
8. Richmond
   Originally enacted in 2010, the City of Richmond Food Ware Ordinance prohibits the sale and use of styrofoam products, plastic straws, and plastic stirrers in retail establishments, food providers, and lodging establishments. This year the ordinance was amended to add utensils and lids to the list of disposable food wares which must be recyclable or compostable.
    
9. San Francisco
   Taking effect July 2019, The Single-Use Foodware Plastics, Toxics and Litter Reduction Ordinance will reduce plastic pollution by prohibiting, among other foodware accessories, the distribution of plastic straws. The ordinance will also eliminate toxic fluorinated chemicals from foodware products, while strengthening compostability standards and recycling markets.
    
10. San Luis Obispo
    On November 7, 2017 the City Council approved an ordinance regulating the the use and distribution of single-use beverage straws in the city. Also, as of March 1, 2018, all restaurants must follow the “straws-upon-request-only” ordinance consistent with policies in the City’s General Plan and Climate Action Plan. 
     
11. Santa Cruz
    As of November 7th, 2017, the City of Santa Cruz's Environmentally Acceptable Food Packaging and Products Ordinance has been revised to require food service businesses to use biodegradable, compostable or recyclable to-go food service ware. This includes food containers, beverage lids, cutlery and straws.
     
12. Santa Monica
    Going into effect on January 1st, 2019, the Santa Monica City Council approved a revision to the 2007 Nonrecyclable Plastic Food Service Container Ordinance to expand plastics banned to include all single-use plastics for prepared foods. This includes: straws, lids, utensils, plates, bowls, trays, containers, stirrers, cups, and lid plugs.

Plastic Oceans Partners with Youth Group to Advocate for Single-Use Plastic Straw Ban in Santa Monica. Posted by: Tod Hardin / Plastic Oceans Foundation. 

Florida

1. Miami Beach
   Miami Beach was one of the first cities to implement a limited straw ban in 2012. The original ban prohibited plastic straws on the beach and at beachside establishments. On July 25th, the City Commission adopted an ordinance expanding their existing straw ban. The new ordinance bans straws on all city beaches, parks, docs, marinas, etc. and also includes plastic stirrers.
    
2. Fort Myers 
   On November 6, 2017 the Town Council passed the Prohibition of Plastic Straw Ordinance, prohibiting distribution of plastic drinking straws in the town. The ordinance allows only straws made of paper, plant, vegetable and other materials containing nothing artificial or synthetic.

New Jersey

1. Monmouth Beach
   As of May 2018, the  Plastic Bag, Food Container, and Plastic Straw Regulations bars businesses from giving out plastic straws, single-use plastic bags, and polystyrene containers such as Styrofoam.

Washington

1. Edmonds
   This city plans to ban plastic straws, plastic utensils, and plastic stir sticks offered by businesses to their customers as early as 2020. Currently the affected businesses are being encouraged to start a policy of offering alternatives to these plastic items and only upon request.
2. Seattle
   Effective July 1, 2018, food service businesses will be prohibited from using plastic utensils, plastic straws, and plastic cocktail picks. Compliant options include durable or compostable utensils, straws and cocktail picks. Compliant straws include those made of compostable paper or compostable plastic. Utensils banned include disposable plastic forks, plastic spoons, plastic knives, and plastic cocktail picks.  

Ohio

1. Ashtabula
   On August 20th, Ashtabula became the first city in the area to ban plastic straws unless requested.

Call your local representatives NOW and tell them you support their efforts curb single use plastics!