Plastic straws would be available on request
A bill that would take away your carryout plastic coffee stirrer and styrofoam container is headed to the House.
Senate Bill No. 134 prohibits a food establishment from providing consumers with a single-service plastic coffee stirrer, cocktail pick, or sandwich pick or with ready-to-eat food or a beverage in polystyrene “styrofoam” containers. SB 134 also prohibits food establishments from providing single-service plastic straws, unless requested by a consumer.
The bill included a substitute with numerous updates and technical and definition corrections. It also moves back the date the bill would do into effect until July 1, 2023. Among the changes was a provision that allows residents and patients of nursing homes and hospitals to have plastic coffee stirrers.
The bill is opposed by the Delaware Restaurant Association.
The bill comes after the General Assembly passed legislation that bans the use of thicker plastic bags at grocery and other retail stores.
That measure goes into effect on July 1.
Earlier legislation banned one-use plastic bags at larger retailers.
The environmental impact of plastic disposable items has been cited as the reason for the legislation.
A styrofoam ban has been in place in neighboring Maryland and according to some was cited as a reason why styrofoam and “red cup” maker Dart chose to consolidate warehouse operations in Delaware and close Maryland sites. DART retained its manufacturing site on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
Click here for a copy of the bill.
