Portland – The city council in Portland unanimously approved a measure to forbid restaurants, bars and coffee shops from giving out plastic straws or other single-use utensils unless people ask for them.
The same goes for plastic cutlery for take-out orders or deliveries. KATU reported that the new rules approved Wednesday will go into effect July 1. If a restaurant or bar gives out single-use plastics without asking the customer first, they could face fines.
Portland has long been a leader in enacting policies that aim to cut back on litter. Portland restricted the use of polystyrene foam since 1990, and passed a citywide plastic bag ban in July of 2011.
