San Francisco May Be The Next City To Ban Plastic Straws

San Francisco is the latest city to make the move towards banning the plastic straw. The Associated Press reports that on July 24, the city's Board of Supervisors unanimously passed an ordinance that could forbid restaurants, bars, and food retailers from providing straws customers — unless they're not made out of plastic. Should San Francisco Mayor London Breed sign off on the measure, the plastic straw ban will take effect beginning July 1, 2019.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the ordinance will also end the offering of plastic stirrers and toothpicks and the sale of single-use food service products made with fluorinated chemicals. Restaurants will be allowed to make condiment packets and napkins available only upon request or at self-service stations.

Also on July 24, Aramark Corporation, a global brand that runs large-scale food service programs for schools, hospitals, and sports stadiums around the world, announced plans to reduce the use of single-use plastic utensils including straws. According to a press release, the brand plans to introduce environmentally friendly alternatives and to significantly limit its use of all plastic items by the year 2022.

Other California cities have banned plastic straws and foodware this year, including San Luis Obispo, Malibu, and Calabasas. Future diners are incresingly likely to be holding resuable or sustainable utensils while enjoying the best food and drink in California.