ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. \u2014\u00a0A Florida bill is taking aim at paper straws.<\/p>\n
A bill has been introduced in both the House and Senate that would require jurisdictions with straw laws to allow options other than paper.<\/p>\n
The bill\u00a0claims that paper straws<\/a>\u00a0are harmful to the environment and human health.<\/p>\n What You Need To Know<\/p>\n A Florida bill that’s been introduced would require jurisdictions with straw laws to allow options other than paper The city of St. Petersburg has already banned single use plastic straws. Many businesses in downtown St. Petersburg are already using straws made of different materials.<\/p>\n The Wooden Rooster on 2nd\u00a0Avenue is knowns for its crepes. If you want a drink with your crepe, the straw options have changed over the years. The city of St. Petersburg prohibited plastic ones in 2018<\/a>, so the Wooden Rooster switched to paper. But when customers didn\u2019t like them, they switched to green biodegradable straws.<\/p>\n \u201cPaper straws were a big thing. They (customers) were like, \u2018Please tell me that you have regular straws.\u2019 We have the biodegradable straws, which they’re happy with because they’re not the flimsy paper, or soggy paper straws,\u201d said Melissa Phillips, general manager of The Wooden Rooster.\u00a0<\/p>\n A Florida bill was introduced that would require jurisdictions with straw laws to allow options other than paper. The bill said if a local government enacts a straw law, it must require that they\u2019re renewable, home compostable, industrial compostable and marine biodegradable.<\/p>\n \u201cOur planet is important, the sea animals are important, specifically the turtles. I’m definitely not opposed to that,\u201d Phillips said.<\/p>\n
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The city of St. Petersburg has already banned single use plastic straws
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If the bill passes,\u00a0St. Petersburg Councilwoman Gina Driscoll said the city would add an amendment for paper straws to its plastic straw ban
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Many businesses in downtown St. Petersburg are already using paper and plastic straw alternatives<\/p>\n