WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — It could be down to the last straw in West Palm Beach. On Monday, city leaders took the first step to ban plastic straws and stirrers.
Local restaurants are already doing it, and now the city commission will take a first look at a new ordinance banning plastic straws and stirrers for good.
The city is following in the footsteps of other cities across Florida that have taken up the issues, such as Delray Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Coral Gables, Miami Beach, Surfside, Fort Myers Beach, Hallandale Beach and St. Petersburg.
Click here to read the full details of the ordinance.
It is estimated that Americans use 500 million plastic straws every day, according to the city ordinance proposal.
"Many of these straws make their way into the ocean and waterways, where it takes approximately 200 years to begin degrading. Non-biodegradable, single-use straws often end up in waterways where they break down into smaller, micro-size pieces that are oftentimes mistaken as food by marine life," states the ordinance.
The ordinance includes several exceptions, including the following:
- Persons with an impairment
- Prepackaged drinks sold at commercial establishments
- Use by medical or dental facilities
- Use by the school district or county, state, or federal governmental entities
- Use during a locally declared emergency
If it passes, the city would launch an educational campaign from April 1, 2019 to Sept. 30, 2019.
"There are reasonable, environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic straws and stirrers, such as straws and stirrers made of paper, plant, vegetable and other natural products," the ordinance states.
Enforcement would then begin Oct. 1, 2019.
