California Poised to Be First State to Restrict Single-Use Plastic Straws

A bartender at Wipeout Bar & Grill makes cocktails that have paper straws in San Francisco, Calif. on June 21, 2018. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

California lawmakers recently passed a bill to ban full-service restaurants from offering single-use plastic straws, unless the customer requests it. With Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature, it would become law on Jan. 1.

In an effort to reduce plastic trash and pollution, Assembly Bill 1884 was introduced by assemblymen Ian Calderon (D-Whittier) and Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica). The measure passed the Senate on Aug. 20 by a vote of 27-12, and the Assembly on Aug. 23 with a 50-25 vote. It was then sent to Brown’s desk.