Seattle's 2018 plastic straw and utensil ban under SMC 21.36.086 made it the first major US city to prohibit single-use plastic straws and disposable utensils. All food service must use compostable alternatives or provide on-request only.
Effective July 1, 2018, Seattle Public Utilities prohibited food service businesses from providing single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cocktail picks, and utensils. The rule, codified within SMC 21.36.086, requires compostable or reusable alternatives. Paper straws are common, with compostable PLA straws also acceptable. The 2018 ordinance was the first such ban in a major US city. Disabled customers are explicitly accommodated: businesses must keep flexible plastic straws available on request as an ADA reasonable accommodation. Washington's 2021 RCW 70A.245 added a statewide on-request rule for utensils and straws, requiring food service to ask before providing. SPU enforces with warnings then fines.
Plastic straws/utensils provided: warning then $250 per day per location. Repeat violations: enhanced fines and reporting to retail food permit office.
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