Bill would ban disposable cups at some restaurants

Enjoy your disposable takeout cup while you can, California. A new bill would make these containers illegal for some restaurants.

Senate Bill 1167, proposed by state Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, would “require chain restaurants in California to provide dine-in customers with non-toxic reusable cups, instead of single-use plastic or paper cups that often end up in landfills,” according to a press release from her office.

“California has a massive plastic waste problem, and if we are serious about protecting our environment and living sustainably, we must reduce it across the board,” Blakespear said. “SB 1167 is a simple, sensible step to reduce waste coming from restaurants.”

SB 1167 also garnered support from organizations like Heal the Bay, Surfrider Foundation, the 5 Gyres Institute and Californians Against Waste.

The groups issued a statement of their own explaining that these cups are part of the more than 500,000 tons of plastic waste produced for food service.

“Although single-use drinkware is often marketed as recyclable or compostable, cups often end up in the landfill or the environment, along with lids, stirrers, drink stoppers, and drink sleeves,” the statement said. “Even paper cups are usually lined with polyethylene plastic, making them difficult to recycle. Single-use cups are among the top items found polluting coastlines, communities, and national parks in California. Once in the environment, plastic and foam cups break up into micro- and nanoplastics, posing a threat to the environment and human health.”

Blakespear is also a proponent of the plastic bag ban.