Next year, this plastic fork, spoon and knife will most likely not appear in your takeaway order soon.
Members of the City Council’s Environmental Protection and Energy Committee approved a measure that would require restaurants to “provide customers with a choice of one-off foods that definitely require them” for delivery or takeaway on all sales platforms. Disposable items include forks, spoons, forks, knives, chopsticks, forks, blenders, drink stoppers, splash bars, cocktail sticks, toothpicks, napkins, wet wipes, cup holders, beverage trays, disposable plates and condiment packs. This list does not apply to straws, beverage caps or packaging.
The committee did not pass unanimously-the measure was passed 9 to 6. Among these “no” votes, there is Ald. Scott Waguespack, 32, introduced a decree in January 2020 to prohibit the use of styrofoam takeaway containers, requiring restaurants to provide customers with reusable plates and cutlery, and to allow customers to bring their own cups to Chicago Restaurants to reduce plastic pollution across the city. In the case of reports that the city’s recycling rate is extremely low, this is an effort to reduce the city’s garbage, but no action has been taken since its launch.
But Ald, the main sponsor of the law passed today. Sam Nugent, 39, said her decree was “a step in the right direction.”
She developed this language in cooperation with the Illinois Restaurant Association, which she says will help restaurants save money and reduce overall waste. It “encourages good behavior…helps us reduce our footprint…and saves money for restaurant owners,” she said. She added that restaurants “will not be punished for violations”.
Committee Chairman George Cardenas said on the 12th that this is a solid first step. “In the past 16 months, 19% of Chicago’s restaurants have been closed. Owners of color and their employees have been hit particularly hard. Owners who have survived the pandemic are facing huge losses that need to be compensated. Therefore, the implementation of more A comprehensive ban is a bit unfair,” he said. “During a pandemic, under such circumstances, a phased approach that does not cause a huge financial burden is a viable approach.”
It was Waguespack who voted against; Alder. Lasparta, No. 1; Alder. Janet Taylor, 20 years old; Alder. Rosana Rodríguez-Sanchez, 33rd; Alder. Matt Martin, 47th; and Maria Harden, 49th.
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Post time: Sep-14-2021