Strawless in Seattle: No More Plastic Utensils Allowed
Washington city is first major U.S. metro area to prohibit what we take for granted — but is this 'pro-environment' move carefully considered?
by Kyle Becker | 05 Jul 2018 at 2:47 PM

Seattle has become the first major U.S. city to ban on plastic straws and plastic utensils.

“Plastic pollution is surpassing crisis levels in the world’s oceans, and I’m proud Seattle is leading the way and setting an example for the nation by enacting a plastic straw ban,” Mami Hara, general manager of Seattle Public Utilities, told KOMO, a radio station, on Sunday.

“Our goal for the next year is to help all restaurants, food trucks, and food service operations shift away from plastic to compostable food serviceware,” Hara said.

The plastic straws and utensils ban went into effect this month, and it continues a trend of environmentalist bans and regulations in the city. The origin of the latest ban was an ordinance passed in 2008 against one-time use food products, but Seattle officials have made exemptions for plastics — until now, Fox News reports.

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The city passed the ordinance to reduce waste and prevent petroleum-based plastics from contaminating compost and marine areas, officials told KOMO.

Restaurants were instructed to phase out their plastic straws and utensils before July. Businesses not in compliance with the regulation face a $250 fine per infraction, Fox News reported. Additionally, businesses must use compost and recyclable bins in accordance with a 2010 regulation.

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https://www.lifezette.com/healthzette/st...ensils-allowed/