Seattle’s Ban on Plastic Straws and Utensils Now in Effect

Looking for a straw to sip your soda? Seattle's ban on plastic straws and utensil now in effect

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle's ban on plastic straws and utensils to reduce marine plastic pollution is now in effect. Starting July 1, restaurants in Seattle are not allowed to give customers plastic straws, utensils, or cocktail picks unless a customer specifically asks for one—and in that case, the city urges restaurants to give customers a “compostable option,” according to a notice released by Seattle Public Utilities. The city's 5,000 restaurants — including Seattle-based Starbucks outlets — will now have to use reusable or compostable utensils, straws and cocktail picks, though the city is encouraging businesses to consider not providing straws altogether or switch to paper rather than compostable plastic straws. “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,” Seattle Public Utilities General Manager Mami Hara said in a statement last month. The city had allowed exemptions for some products until alternatives could be found.
Seattle becomes the first major U.S. city to ban plastic straws and utensils in all bars and restaurants.