A bill proposed in California takes aim at single-use cups used for dining in at chain restaurants in the state.
The proposed Senate Bill 1167 (SB1167) would require that chain restaurants provide reusable, non-toxic cups for customers that dine in the restaurant, rather than offering paper, plastic or other single-use cups.
“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,” Senator Catherine Blakespear, who proposed the bill, said in a press release. “SB 1167 is a simple, sensible step to reduce waste coming from restaurants.”
According to a 2021 study by CalRecycle (California’s Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery), rigid plastic food service ware waste totals over 503,000 tons per year, and paper or fiber food service ware waste reaches an annual total of over 849,000 tons.
The bill aims to cut down that waste and states that chain restaurants will need to provide a reusable drinking vessel, such as a mug or durable glass cup, for customers consuming the beverage on the premises.
If the proposed legislation becomes law, qualifying restaurants that are found in violation would receive a notice for the first two instances of violations. From there, additional violations could incur a $25 per day fee, but fees would not exceed $300 for the year.
Several environmental organizations have shared support for the proposed bill, including co-sponsors Heal the Bay, Surfrider Foundation, Californians Against Waste and The 5 Gyres Institute.
“There is a reason why ‘reduce’ and ‘reuse’ come before recycling in the ‘3 Rs,’ and there are few examples of more egregious and wasteful consumption than being given a disposable cup when you are drinking coffee at a café,” Nick Lapis, advocacy director for Californians Against Waste, said in a statement. “Things we use for minutes shouldn’t pollute the earth for centuries.”
In addition to reducing waste, Heal the Bay shared on social media that the switch would also save water.
“The production of 500 paper cups utilizes 370 gallons of water, while a ceramic cup that is washed 500 times uses 53 gallons of water on average,” the organization shared on its Instagram page.
If the bill passes, it is expected to take effect beginning January 2025.
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