MANILA – Sen. Risa Hontiveros is seeking to ban the use of plastic straws and drink stirrers in food establishments.
Senate Bill No. 1866, or “The Plastic Straw and Stirrer Ban of 2018,” prohibits food service businesses in the country from offering consumers any single-use beverage straw and stirrer made of plastic or any other non-biodegradable material.
The bill also requires establishments to display signs informing their customers of their “no plastic straw and stirrer” policy.
“Through this proposed bill, we hope to start a national conversation on the need to reduce plastic pollution in our landfills and the oceans by discouraging people from using single-use plastic materials,” said Hontiveros.
Environmental advocates, according to her, consider plastic straws and drink stirrers as “gateway plastics.”
“The measure seeks to effect positive behavioral change among our people,” added Hontiveros. “If we can persuade the people of the positive effects of not using plastic straws and stirrers, we can also encourage them not to use other single-use plastics such as bags and bottles.”
Under the bill, erring food establishments will be fined P50,000 to P150,000 and suspension of business permits for a year./PN