By Marie Puleo

In January, the City Commission approved a ban on plastic beverage straws citywide, an expansion of the ordinance it passed a few months ago, which only banned them on city property. Starting on March 1, 2019, all restaurants, stores, food trucks, kiosks, caterers, and other food or beverage providers will be prohibited from providing plastic straws to their customers. If a customer wants a single-use straw, establishments can provide one “composed of renewable or compostable material, such as paper, sugar cane, or bamboo,” according to the new ordinance.

The ban is intended to promote resource conservation and reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in the environment and can threaten wildlife, particularly in marine habitats. The ban will not apply to customers with disabilities or to individuals in their homes.