We warned you plastic straws could become the next plastic bags. Now, one month after a ban on Styrofoam containers, cups and plates at restaurants, the Davis City Council has voted to approve an ordinance that prevents restaurants from automatically handing out plastic straws.
The ordinance is scheduled for a second reading June 6. If it passes, you’ll still be able to get a straw with your drink, but you’ll have to specifically request it. And that might get you funny and/or irritated looks from servers. So really, is it worth the risk?
The proposed law is part of the city’s Zero Waste Resolution, adopted in 2011. It was proposed by Councilwoman Rochelle Swanson.
As we reported in March, a group called StrawFree.org is on a mission to educate municipalities about the environmental havoc straws scan wreak. The organization recently received a grant from the Pollination Project.
Let’s close this with a fascinating statistic: Americans use half a billion straws daily. That’s enough to fill up 125 school buses each day or 46,400 busses every year.
*Gulp*