California Restaurants Can Only Give Out Single-Use Plastic Items Upon Request, According to New Law

A new bill signed into law in California prohibits restaurants from giving out single-use plastics without being asked first. Its passage coincides with a similar bill that only allows restaurants to hand out straws upon request.

Now single-use plastic items like condiment packets and plastic utensils have to be requested and cannot be handed out otherwise. Those who order through delivery apps will have to specially request if they would like these single-use items included.

Governor Wendy Carrillo said, “Plastic utensils and condiment packets create unnecessary trash, pollute waterways and harm marine life.”

Any restaurant that violates this bill could be fined up to $300, depending on how long they are in violation.

Governor Gavin Newsom said, “California’s hallmark is solving problems through innovation, and we’re harnessing that spirit to reduce the waste filling our landfills and generating harmful pollutants driving the climate crisis.”

This is a step in the right direction that will hopefully pave the way for less plastic waste. Single-use plastics are some of the most wasteful items and can easily be replaced with biodegradable or reusable alternatives.

With more bills like this one as well as increased pressure on large and unsustainable corporations, we can hopefully start to see a difference in plastic pollution. 

Sign this petition to demand that Biden and Congress work together to save our oceans, our marine animals, and our Earth by banning single-use plastics throughout the entire United States!

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