Arlington, TX Single-Use Items: Plastic Straw Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Local straw rule
- None
- Preemption basis
- Tex. Solid Waste Disposal Act
- ADA accommodation
- Required on request
- Voluntary paper-straw switch
- Common at chains
Summary
Texas preemption of local container regulations and the absence of state straw rules mean Arlington restaurants may freely offer plastic straws without on-request restrictions.
Sec. 361.0961. RESTRICTIONS ON AUTHORITY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION. (a) A local government or other political subdivision may not adopt an ordinance, rule, or regulation to: (1) prohibit or restrict, for solid waste management purposes, the sale or use of a container or package in a manner not authorized by state law; (2) prohibit or restrict the processing of solid waste by a solid waste facility, except for a solid waste facility owned by the local government, permitted by the commission for that purpose in a manner not authorized by state law; or (3) assess a fee or deposit on the sale or use of a container or package.
Full Breakdown
Arlington has not adopted a straw-on-request rule, and the same Texas Solid Waste Disposal Act preemption that voided Texas bag bans likely blocks any local plastic straw ordinance. Restaurants may offer plastic, paper, or compostable straws at their discretion. Federal ADA considerations protect customers with disabilities who need flexible plastic straws even when restaurants default to paper. Tarrant County Public Health does not regulate straw materials beyond ordinary food-contact sanitation. Stadium and theme-park concessionaires often switch to paper straws voluntarily for branding, but Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor remain free to offer plastic on request.
Violations & Fines
No local penalties may be imposed for straw choice; ADA claims may arise from blanket plastic-straw refusals against disabled patrons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Arlington require restaurants to ask before giving a straw?
Do restaurants have to keep plastic straws for disabled customers?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Arlington
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Arlington to another location·View the Texas single-use items overview
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Plastic Straw Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Tarrant County handle plastic straw rules.