Miami Beach Bans Plastic Straws In Public Places

Miami Beach, FL – Miami Beach has approved a change in the way thirsty tourists slurp their oversize margaritas and pina coladas at the city's iconic outdoor cafes. City officials have voted unanimsouly to ban the ubiquitous plastic straws and stirrers in public places and outdoor cafes. Officials say they are bad for the environement and marine life in particular.

“We want to be the most plastic free city in the world, and we are making a substantial step towards that goal,” said Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber. “It is good for business and good for the environment.”

This tourist-driven city has already banned polystyrene in an effort to protect its coastal habitat.

The new ordinance bans single-use plastic beverage straws and stirrers on the city’s beaches, streets, parks, sidewalk cafes, docks, marinas, waterways and other public places as well as banning single-use plastic bags from being distributed by sidewalk cafes.

"It’s the right thing to do. We are reviewing the alternatives to plastic, assessing the costs plus attrition in promoting a 'skip the straw' campaign," explained Ceci Velasco, executive director of the Ocean Drive Improvement Association, which represents some of the city's best known cafes, bars and restaurants.

"I don’t think people will stop coming because they can’t get a plastic straw," Velasco told Patch. "The ocean and beach are our front yard and it’s a responsible move. We applaud the mayor and commission."

The decision also won praise from the president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in Washington, D.C.

"The video of a straw being pulled from a sea turtle's nose showed us all how harmful single-use plastic can be," PETA President Ingrid Newkirk told Patch. "Straw bans are a good first step, but because the commercial fishing industry slaughters up to 3 trillion fish and abandoned fishing equipment kills and mutilates millions of sea animals every year, PETA encourages people who care about ocean life to look not just at how they drink but also at what they eat and go vegan."

The change takes effect on Feb. 1, 2019. Meanwhile, the city plans to launch a plastic-free public education campaign over the next three months to inform sidewalk cafés, special event permittees and city contractors about the change, as well as to provide information on reusable alternatives.

“Plastic straws and bags are the most commonly found litter item on our urban island — taking hundreds of years to degrade,” added Elizabeth Wheaton, who serves as the city's director of environmental and sustainability. “They also pose a significant threat to our natural wildlife, as well as our drainage system. By prohibiting these disposable food service articles, the city hopes to significantly reduce the amount of litter and pollutants on land and in the water for years to come.”

Businesses providing plastic straws or bags with the service and delivery of any beverage to patrons will be fined anywhere from $100 to $1,500 for the first offense – with the highest fines being given to plastic straw violators along the beach, parks, waterways, docks and marinas.

The iconic outdoor cafes in Miami Beach will be making changes to the way tourists slurp their oversize cocktails. Photo by Paul Scicchitano.