California’s Plastic Straw Ban

Environmentalists are celebrating the newly signed law that bans plastic straws. However, the ban is no where near as harsh as it seems, as it effectively only keeps plastic straws out of drinks for customers who do not ask for them in full-service restaurants. The Governor of California Jerry Brown signed the law into effect Friday, September 21st.

Several cities in California have imposed their own ban of plastic straws, and plastic bags are also banned by a similar kind of law. Fast-food restaurants, coffee shops, convenience stores, and delis are exempt from the ban. This may seem like a small step, but many are praising the law as a way to influence future environmental efforts to curb the use of plastic.

Plastics never fully breakdown, and microplastics entering the food chain are a growing problem with few viable solutions. The environmental impact of plastic is still not fully understood, and could impact the health of future generations in incredibly harmful ways.

Still, many believe that this sort of ban does little to impact the problems generated by plastic waste, or think that straws are the least of the problem. For now, this law will hopefully be a step in the right direction.