Portland may limit plastic straws and utensils

(NOVEMBER 12, 2018) Soon your drink might not come with a plastic straw in Portland. Portland City Council is considering a new ordinance. The local law will restrict plastic straws. It will also limit condiments in plastic packages.

The proposal says that plastic straws should be available only when customers ask. People with disabilities can still get straws when they need them. Restaurants will also need to ask customers if they want plastic utensils and condiments packaged in plastic. Utensils are forks, spoons, and knives. Condiments are things like coffee creamer, ketchup and mustard.

Supporters of a ban say plastic straws are wasteful and dangerous for the environment. Straws stay a long time in the garbage. Much of that garbage goes into the ocean. It can harm animals, such as turtles.

Some restaurants have already stopped giving plastic straws automatically. They use paper or compostable utensils (things that can go in the compost with food scraps). Some restaurants offer reusable metal straws for drinks.

Portland has done similar things in the past. The city restricted Styrofoam containers in 1990. The city banned plastic shopping bags in 2011.

Portland City Council will vote Wednesday, November 14, 2018. If the council approves of the idea, then the restriction will start July 1, 2019.