Some Long Beach residents have recently increased their plastic consumption due to eating out during the pandemic, resulting in a violation of the single-use plastic ban compliance. Since the start of the pandemic, it seems certain businesses do not mind the possible repercussions from offering plastic straws or containers to customers. People are becoming comfortable using plastic straws again and policymakers are continuing to establish authority over the situation. The lack of responsibility could be concerning for the city.
Last year, the Long Beach City Council pressured to pass a law that issued a ban on single-use plastic items, such as straws and cup lids in the city of Long Beach. This means restaurants in Long Beach must comply to not give any plastic straws to consumers unless specified or due to disability.
This new policy was established to inform Long Beach residents about conservation efforts to reduce ocean pollution and littering. Improper disposal of plastic materials leads to ending up in the ocean or landfills. Polyesters do not recycle well, which only creates problems for recycling centers.
However, there is still uncertainty among policymakers, as the fourth phase, the ban on single-use cup lids, has yet to be approved. And so far, the ban only applies to city-owned facilities, large food providers with more than 101 seats, and small food providers with less than 101 seats.
Future phases include a ban on cup lids, as well as the final phase to rid of all single-use plastic accessibility.
While awareness of the ban on single-use foam and plastic items in Long Beach has been apparent for two years, there are still restaurants offering plastic straws, including drive-thru fast- food restaurants. Whether or not these businesses are acting in accordance with the law, it is safe to assume not everyone wants to follow the new guidelines.
Fortunately, there is still time for people to clean up their act and make smarter choices. Not everyone wants to conform to the new rules, but the more businesses that stop offering plastic straws, the less likelihood of marine life deaths caused by suffocation. Marine biodiversity is suffering casualties due to choking or strangulation, induced by plastic objects floating around in the ocean.
The organization Clean Water Action said plastic pollution has impacted 267 species worldwide.
In addition to less sea animals dying, less plastic usage means less littering, which will make the streets of Long Beach look cleaner. It may even make people less inclined to litter because plastic is responsible for harming the environment.
According to the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, when plastic breaks down it releases toxic chemicals into the air, water, and soil. This is especially detrimental to biotic factors like human beings, who breathe in this air, drink this water, and grow food in this soil.
As of now, there are many alternatives to using plastic straws. Some establishments are offering paper or bamboo straws instead. Restaurants are also serving drinks in disposable cups, to discourage consumers from requesting a plastic straw.
It is of utmost importance that the Long Beach City Council passes an amendment that approves of the last phase, which was supposed to take into effect this past October. That way, more people are aware of the existing problem, and will be more cautious of their actions.