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New York may join other cities in banning plastic drinking straw
Suck on this — plastic drinking straws could be banned in New York.
Businesses in the city would be barred from using disposable plastic straws under a bill set to be introduced Wednesday in the City Council.
Plastic coffee stirrers would be forbidden, too.
Restaurants and take out spots would either have to forgo straws, or use paper or reusable metal ones instead.
Backers are looking to cut down on plastic waste from a product that, while it represents a small portion of the heaps of plastic trashed each year, often ends up in the ocean and hurts sea life.
They're also harder to recycle than other types of plastic.
"The straw stays in our environment without decomposing for hundreds of years," said Councilman Rafael Espinal (D-Brooklyn), one of the sponsors.
"We're seeing cities across the country and the globe phasing out plastic straws, and it has no impact on the consumer or small business."
Straws became the latest target after the Council voted to put a 5-cent fee on plastic and paper bags, but was blocked by the state Legislature and Gov. Cuomo from implementing the law.
Cuomo later threw his support behind banning plastic bags outright, but the plan has not advanced in Albany.
The Council is also considering legislation that would ban the sale of disposable plastic bottles at city parks, beaches, and golf courses.
Plastic straws have been banned in cities including Seattle, Miami Beach, and Malibu, Calif. Britain's prime minister has vowed to outlaw them there.
"After plastic bags and plastic bottles, plastic straws are the next thing that's just taking up space in our oceans," said Councilwoman Helen Rosenthal (D-Manhattan), who is also sponsoring the bill. "There are other options."
The legislation makes an exception for customers with a disability or medical condition who need a straw to drink.
Some restaurants have gotten rid of the ubiquitous plastic straw on their own.
At least 80 restaurants, hotels and other venues have signed on to the "Give a Sip" campaign by the city's Wildlife Conservation Society, pledging to give up plastic straws
The campaign promotes alternatives including biodegradable paper straws, reusable metal, glass, or steel and silicone straws, and straws made of bamboo.
Even massive fast food chains are considering the idea. McDonald's shareholders are expected to vote this week on whether or not to phase out plastic straws at its locations.
"Many restaurants already use compostable straws, since plastic ones are a big environmental problem. So while we're generally supportive of the concept, we'll be gathering feedback from restaurateurs around the city to explore, what if any barriers exist to them making the transition away from plastic," said Andrew Rigie, executive director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance.
The campaign promotes alternatives including biodegradable paper straws, reusable metal, glass, or steel and silicone straws, and straws made of bamboo.
Even massive fast food chains are considering the idea. McDonald's shareholders are expected to vote this week on whether or not to phase out plastic straws at its locations.
"Many restaurants already use compostable straws, since plastic ones are a big environmental problem. So while we're generally supportive of the concept, we'll be gathering feedback from restaurateurs around the city to explore, what if any barriers exist to them making the transition away from plastic," said Andrew Rigie, executive director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance.
New York may join other cities in banning plastic drinking straw
Suck on this — plastic drinking straws could be banned in New York.
Businesses in the city would be barred from using disposable plastic straws under a bill set to be introduced Wednesday in the City Council.
Plastic coffee stirrers would be forbidden, too.
Restaurants and take out spots would either have to forgo straws, or use paper or reusable metal ones instead.
Backers are looking to cut down on plastic waste from a product that, while it represents a small portion of the heaps of plastic trashed each year, often ends up in the ocean and hurts sea life.
They're also harder to recycle than other types of plastic.
"The straw stays in our environment without decomposing for hundreds of years," said Councilman Rafael Espinal (D-Brooklyn), one of the sponsors.
"We're seeing cities across the country and the globe phasing out plastic straws, and it has no impact on the consumer or small business."
Straws became the latest target after the Council voted to put a 5-cent fee on plastic and paper bags, but was blocked by the state Legislature and Gov. Cuomo from implementing the law.
Cuomo later threw his support behind banning plastic bags outright, but the plan has not advanced in Albany.
The Council is also considering legislation that would ban the sale of disposable plastic bottles at city parks, beaches, and golf courses.
Plastic straws have been banned in cities including Seattle, Miami Beach, and Malibu, Calif. Britain's prime minister has vowed to outlaw them there.
"After plastic bags and plastic bottles, plastic straws are the next thing that's just taking up space in our oceans," said Councilwoman Helen Rosenthal (D-Manhattan), who is also sponsoring the bill. "There are other options."
The legislation makes an exception for customers with a disability or medical condition who need a straw to drink.
Some restaurants have gotten rid of the ubiquitous plastic straw on their own.
At least 80 restaurants, hotels and other venues have signed on to the "Give a Sip" campaign by the city's Wildlife Conservation Society, pledging to give up plastic straws
The campaign promotes alternatives including biodegradable paper straws, reusable metal, glass, or steel and silicone straws, and straws made of bamboo.
Even massive fast food chains are considering the idea. McDonald's shareholders are expected to vote this week on whether or not to phase out plastic straws at its locations.
"Many restaurants already use compostable straws, since plastic ones are a big environmental problem. So while we're generally supportive of the concept, we'll be gathering feedback from restaurateurs around the city to explore, what if any barriers exist to them making the transition away from plastic," said Andrew Rigie, executive director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance.
The campaign promotes alternatives including biodegradable paper straws, reusable metal, glass, or steel and silicone straws, and straws made of bamboo.
Even massive fast food chains are considering the idea. McDonald's shareholders are expected to vote this week on whether or not to phase out plastic straws at its locations.
"Many restaurants already use compostable straws, since plastic ones are a big environmental problem. So while we're generally supportive of the concept, we'll be gathering feedback from restaurateurs around the city to explore, what if any barriers exist to them making the transition away from plastic," said Andrew Rigie, executive director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance.
Hilarious - I don't know how anyone uses stirrers anyway. Nasty people who don't wash their hands and then without a doubt touch multiple stirrers before taking one out. They should test them the same way they test the subway poles. God knows what they would find. NO THANK YOU. Ban them, don't care.
Every other GD day it is another ban, rule, law, etc... designed to meddle in the affairs of private businesses. That and or they are giving away tax money on free diapers, and so forth.
I have zero problems with pushing biodegradable and compostable alternatives. I would only want the city to work at getting other municipalities or even states to do the same and try to get economies of scale and push for the industry of such to take a good manufacturing foothold for these in New York state.
The dollar tree sells a pack of 100 straws for a buck. I guess I will carry them around and give them out to people in need.
OR wait.....a quarter per straw....My idea....better not see any of u'll pushing straws.
The dollar tree sells a pack of 100 straws for a buck. I guess I will carry them around and give them out to people in need.
OR wait.....a quarter per straw....My idea....better not see any of u'll pushing straws.
I'll just sell fake straws on Myrtle and Broadway instead
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