San Francisco board passes plastic straw ban

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a measure Tuesday to block city stores, restaurants and bars from selling or providing plastic straws, bringing the city closer to banning the single-use plastic products.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that if the board passes the ordinance again next week, it will go to San Francisco Mayor London Breed (D) for final approval. It would go into effect on July 1, 2019.

The ordinance would also block stores from selling single-use food service goods made with fluorinated chemicals.

{mosads}

And bars and restaurants will only be allowed to supply products like napkins and condiment packets at self-service stations or if customers request them, according to the Chronicle.

If the measure becomes law, San Francisco would become the latest U.S. city to ban plastic straws. Seattle is believed to be the largest city to ban the single-use plastic products, with its ban going into effect on July 1.

Several major chains and restaurants, including Starbucks, have announced that they will also ban plastic straws.