Melrose Plastic Straw Crackdown Could Stir Things Up

MELROSE, MA — Purse your lips together and inhale. That's what sipping looks like, and Melrose residents may soon be doing a whole lot more of it.

An item on Monday night's Board of Alderman would require customers to ask for a plastic straw and ban restaurants and cafes from distributing plastic drink stirrers. A business could face a fine after the second offense.

Customers could still get a plastic straw upon request, but would be expected to keep the straw for however many drinks are ordered.

The ordinance, which would take effect in December, is an effort to reduce distribution of single-use plastic straws for the benefit of the environment. It was sent to Legal & Legislative for further discussion.

"Plastic straws and plastic beverage stirrers often are used for just a few minutes but take hundreds of years to break down," the ordinance reads.

It appears the straw crackdown would also apply to coffee shops like Jitters, Bohemian Coffeehouse and Starbucks. Ever wonder what ice coffee sucked through a woolen straw tastes like?

Alderman Frank Wright, the sponsor of the ordinance, was not immediately available for comment.

The ordinance would not keep customers from bringing their own straws — plastic or otherwise. Plastic straws could still be sold in packages at supermarkets.

A business caught violating the ordinance would face a written warning on the first offense, a $25 fine on the second and a $50 fine on the third and subsequent offenses.

In 2017, Melrose became the 61st community in the state to ban disposable plastic bags.

Read the full plastic straw ordinance below.

WHEREAS, plastic straws and plastic beverage stirrers often are used for just a few minutes but take hundreds of years to break down.

WHEREAS, the production and use of plastic straws and plastic beverage stirrers have significant negative impacts on the environment, including but not limited to: contributing to the potential death of fish, fowl, animals and wildlife through ingestion and entanglement;

WHEREAS, plastic straws and plastic beverage stirrers contribute to pollution of the environment through improper disposal; clogging storm drainage systems; creating a burden to solid waste collection and recycling efforts; and

WHEREAS, the manufacturing of plastic straws and plastic beverage stirrers require the use of millions of barrels of non-renewable, polluting, fossil fuel for their manufacture.

THEREFORE, the City of Melrose seeks to reduce the use of plastic straws and plastic beverage stirrers by all retail establishments, including restaurants and coffee shops doing business in the City of Melrose.

Section 1. Purpose and Intent.

This ordinance is enacted for the purpose of reducing the distribution of single use plastic straws and beverage stirrers by all Business Establishments.

Section 2. Definitions

“Business Establishment” means the following businesses: a retail store; general department store; restaurant and take-out restaurant, and any other common victualler, serving hot or cold liquid, slurry, frozen, semi-frozen, or other forms of beverages to the public for consumption; bar, tavern, lounge; not including supermarkets, pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes or nursing care or assisted living facilities or doctors or nurses or Emergency Medical Technicians providing straws to patients.

“City Event” means any event organized or sponsored by the City of Melrose, any department of the City of Melrose, or on the premises of any city-owned premises.

“Plastic Beverage Straw” means a tube made predominantly of plastic derived from either petroleum or a biologically based polymer, such as corn or other plant sources, for transferring a beverage from its container to the mouth of the drinker. “Plastic Beverage Straw” includes compostable and biodegradable petroleum or biologically based polymer straws, but does not include straws that are made from non-plastic materials, such as, but not limited to, paper, sugar cane, and bamboo.

“Plastic Beverage Stirrer” means a device that is used to mix beverages, intended for only one time use, and made predominantly of plastic derived from either petroleum or a biologically based polymer, such as corn or other plant source. “Plastic Beverage Stirrer” includes compostable and biodegradable petroleum or biologically based polymer stirrers, but does not include stirrers that are made from non- plastic materials, such as, but not limited to, paper, sugar cane, wood and bamboo.

Section 3. Use Regulations.

A. Effective December 1, 2019, Plastic Beverage Straws shall not be used or dispensed or sold in conjunction with the serving by Business Establishments, or at any City Event, of hot or cold liquid, slurry, frozen, semi-frozen, or other forms of beverages to the public for consumption, unless requested by a customer or other patron. If requested, the customer shall be advised not to dispose of it if intending to use a plastic straw for more than one beverage, as only one plastic straw shall be provided each customer, unless otherwise requested.

B. Effective December 1, 2019, Plastic Beverage Stirrers shall not be used or dispensed or sold in conjunction with the serving by Business Establishments or at any City Sponsored Event of hot or cold liquid, slurry, frozen, semi-frozen, or other forms of beverages to the public for consumption.

C. Nothing in this ordinance prohibits the sale of Plastic Straws by supermarkets and pharmacies in packages, not in conjunction with the service of hot or cold liquid, slurry, frozen, semi frozen, or other forms of beverages to the public for consumption.

D. Nothing in this ordinance prohibits customers from using their own straws of any material for personal use in any Business Establishment.

Section 4. Enforcement.

This ordinance may be enforced by any agents of the Board of Health. This ordinance may be enforced through any lawful means in law or in equity, including, but not limited to, non criminal disposition pursuant to G.L. c.40, §21D by which any Business Establishment which violates any provision of this regulation shall be subject to the following penalties:

First Offense: written warning

2nd Offense: $25 fine

3rd and Subsequent Offenses: $50.