According to statistics, Seattle is home to approximately 5,000 licensed food service establishments. This measure, aimed at reducing plastic usage, is expected to have a significant impact. An announcement from Seattle Public Utilities states that violators will face a fine of $250.
According to Jackson, a strategic advisor in the Waste Avoidance and Product Stewardship division at Seattle Public Utilities, starting July 1, 2018, food service operators will no longer be allowed to provide plastic straws, plastic utensils, or other plastic tableware to consumers. Instead, they must offer reusable alternatives or avoid using straws altogether.
Hara, chair of Seattle Public Utilities, stated that the world’s oceans are facing a serious plastic pollution crisis. “Seattle is a pioneer, setting an example for other cities in the United States by banning plastic straws. I am very proud of this,” Hara said.
Hara further noted that the goal for next year is to enable all restaurant operators, food truck vendors, and small eateries to move away from plastic utensils and switch to biodegradable alternatives. It is understood that while food service businesses are now prohibited from providing plastic utensils and straws, consumers can still purchase these products at supermarkets and retail stores in Seattle.
We need to stop using plastic products and shift toward more environmentally friendly paper products and pulp tableware. For example, green packaging alternatives such as bagasse tableware and paper straws can be used as substitutes. Doing so will help better protect our planet.