District of Columbia Statewide Rule
Washington DC bans single-use plastic straws
Key Facts
- Plastic straws
- Banned since Jan 1, 2019
- Allowed
- Compostable or reusable straws
- On request only
- Since Jan 1, 2022
- Enforcer
- DOEE
- Authority
- D.C. Code § 8–1533
Summary
Since January 1, 2019, DC food service entities cannot serve drinks with single-use plastic straws or stirrers, which are neither compostable nor recyclable. Only compostable or reusable straws are allowed, and DOEE provides them only on customer request.
(c) By January 1, 2017, no food service entity shall sell or provide food or beverages, for consumption on or off premises, in disposable food service ware unless the disposable food service ware is compostable or recyclable... (e) By January 1, 2022, a food service entity shall provide accessory disposable food service ware only upon request by a customer.
Full Breakdown
D.C. Official Code § 8–1533(c) requires that no food service entity sell or provide food or beverages in disposable food service ware unless that ware is compostable or recyclable. Plastic straws and stirrers appear on neither the Mayor's List of Recyclables nor Compostables, so they have been prohibited since January 1, 2019 under the Sustainable DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2014. Under § 8–1533(e), accessory ware such as straws must be provided only upon a customer's request as of January 1, 2022. The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) enforces the requirement, issuing warning letters and fines to non-compliant restaurants, bars, and stores.
Violations & Penalties
DOEE enforces against food service entities, issuing warning letters followed by fines for serving plastic straws or stirrers or handing out straws without a customer request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a DC restaurant give me a plastic straw?
Will I automatically get a straw with my drink?
Sources
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