Starting today, Monday April 22, large restaurants in the city of Los Angeles will be prohibited from offering or providing disposable plastic straws—unless diners request them. And what a perfect day for this ordinance to go into effect... Earth Day!
The law allows some leeway for drive-throughs and deliveries: Restaurants are then allowed to ask customers whether or not they want plastic straws.
The restrictions go into effect for bigger businesses on Earth Day, while other restaurants, food retailers and supermarkets will have to follow suit on Oct. 1.
Those who violate the rules will receive a written notice for their first and second infractions. Subsequent violations will cost businesses $25 for each day they don't follow the rules, but won't exceed $300 per calendar year.
Health facilities in the city are exempted from the ordinance.