Washington, D.C. businesses can be fined between $100 and $800 due to breaching the ban on single-use plastic straws and stirrers starting July 1.
The prohibition that was introduced by D.C. Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) for environmental purposes originally took effect in October last year. The businesses in the District had been given a time period for complying with the new regulation, which came to an end on January 1, 2019.
Inspections and monitoring of the businesses started after that date. However, as of the beginning of July, DOEE will be able to fine the businesses that do not meet the new requirements.
According to DCist, first-time offenders are likely to receive a warning, but following fines would be expensive. It is up to DOEE to decide whether it would issue a general fine or a fine per plastic straw, which makes it technically possible for a fine per business to surpass $800.
An exception of the ban on providing plastic straws to customers is offering services to customers with disabilities:
“Please note that DOEE recognizes some customers with disabilities require plastic straws as a reasonable accommodation to consume food or beverages. Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act and the D.C. Human Rights Act, some customers may request single-use plastic straws to consume food and beverages. Regulated entities must keep a stock of plastic straws available to meet these needs and remain compliant,” it was stated on the DOEE website.
The ban is part of the Sustainable D.C. Omnibus Amendment Act of 2014 and it reaches beyond plastic straws; applying to any single-use products in food service, including containers, bowls, plates, trays, cups, cutlery, straws, stirrers and other items.
Businesses affected by the law are the ones that provide food or beverages, such as “bars, delis, cafes, schools, cafeterias, carry-outs, food trucks, restaurants, grocery stores, daycare providers, companies that provide free coffee to clients, churches that offer coffee or food to parishioners after a service and non-profit organizations that host events and provide food for attendees.”
In February, D.C. appointed Zach Rybarczyk as a plastic straw inspector to enforce the ban in the city, with an annual salary of more than $60,000.