Oakland Considers Ban On Single Use Straws

OAKLAND, CA — Oakland City Councilmember Abel Guillen has introduced plans for legislation to limit the environmental damage caused by single-use plastic straws.

It would still be legal to use and possess a plastic straw if the legislation passed, but the ordinance would require restaurants, bars and cafes to only give plastic straws out to customers on request.

"Plastic straws pose a long-term threat to marine life, waterways and natural habitats - and eventually local residents by way of food consumption and collateral environmental effects," Guillen said.

"Oakland should be a leader in this effort," he added.

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Plastic such as the kind found in single-use straws isn't biodegradable, but it can break down into smaller pieces that are often mistaken for food by animals. This can lead to suffocation and death.

Most single-use straws can't be recycled and the rest tend to have relatively low economic value for recyclers. As a result straws are frequently thrown away as trash or litter.

Citing data from the National Park Service, Guillen said an estimated half-billion plastic straws are discarded every day in the U.S.

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Several prominent foodservice establishments have come out in favor of the ordinance, according to Guillen, including Luka's Taproom & Lounge in the downtown area as well as the popular taco trucks Tacos Mi Rancho and Tacos Sinaloa.

Guillen said that Save the Bay, a local organization that advocates for legislation that bans straws and plastic bags, also supports his ordinance.

— Bay City News; Image via Shutterstock

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