Oregon City Ponders Ordinance to Ban Plastic Straws

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster):  The City of Portland in Oregon plans to impose ban on sale, use and distribution of plastic straws. The draft ordinance to this effect will soon be taken up by the Sustainability and Transportation Committee for finalization by next month. It must be noted that the city was the first in the entire state to impose 5-cent charge on single-use plastic bags distributed at retail point-of-sale.

The ordinance aims to ban plastic straws except those that come with pre-packaged drinks sold at retail establishments. It also bans use of plastic straws on public beaches and in public parks. It exempts certain categories of straws such as the ones used by medical or dental offices. Also, persons with a disability or impairment will be allowed to use straws, if required. However, the regulation would not be applicable to straws made of alternative materials including paper, bamboo, sugar cane or metal. Also, there is no restriction in purchasing plastic straws from grocery stores.

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According to City Councilor Brian Batson, discarded plastic straws tend to threaten wildlife and degrade and litter the beaches and waterways. By way of reducing the use of plastic straws, the city would be able to address plastic pollution in a more effective manner, Batson said. As per rough estimates, the U.S. consumes approximately 500 million plastic straws every day. The City’s average daily consumption comes to around 10,000.