California city bans single-use plastic straws, cutlery
Waves roll up to and under homes perched over a sandy beach in Malibu, Calif., in 2015. (AP Photo/John Antczak, file)
Hiroshi Konishi, foreground, walks out of the ocean after surfing as other surfers wait for waves in Malibu, Calif., in 2016. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, file)
MALIBU, Calif. — Malibu has banned single-use plastic straws, stirrers and cutlery.
The City Council voted Monday to approve an ordinance prohibiting the sale, distribution and use of the plastic items starting June 1.
Mayor Rick Mullen has said it’s an effort to stop plastic pollution at the source so it doesn’t reach Malibu’s beaches and the ocean.
Businesses will have to switch from plastic to single-use straws and cutlery made from materials such as paper, wood and bamboo.
The city plans to raise awareness of the move by providing each local food service business a box of paper straws bearing the “Keep it Clean Malibu” slogan.
