DC Restaurants Could Be Fined $800 For Giving Out Plastic Straws

Townhall ^ | Jun 27, 2019 | Timothy Meads

[detective]

Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when they come for...your straws?

Starting July 1, the nation's capital will officially be implementing arguably Draconian fines on restaurants and bar owners as D.C.'s government will be sending out the plastic Gestapo in full force to ensure that only biodegradable straws are handed out to customers. If you get caught handing out the newly ordained contraband so that your patrons can enjoy a vodka soda or a lemonade with ease, you better be ready to pay up some cold hard cash since you are contributing to pollution according to backers of the law.

Dcist.com reports that "starting on July 1, businesses can be fined $100 to $800 (or more) for failing to comply with the D.C. Department of Energy and Environment’s ban on plastic straws."

[BunnySlippers]

Last two cold brews I’ve bought, I was told that they cannot give me a straw unless or until I ask for one.

CA.

[Flick Lives]

$800? Why stop there. Summarily execute the restaurant owner, his family, and burn down the restaurant. (That’s sarc for all you humor challenged libs who might read this)

[John S Mosby]

Easy answer-— and completely eliminates the ownership of any wrongdoing. Just put on every menu, every advert-— “Ask about BYOS, for special prices”. Never in print— requires people ask, as customers.

Bring your own straws, for a 10 % discount on all beverages that would require a straw- even a sipping straw.

Simple— and does not break the law by “providing” plastic straws. Can’t fine the customers for bringing their own— they just can’t bring the booze.

[John S Mosby]

Good idea! See my post about BYOS... patrons bring a straw, restaurant can’t refuse to serve a drink already ordered w/out a straw. Game over.

So, would the idiot DC straw police then fine a patron, who takes their straw with them!!!?? When they leave.

[John S Mosby]

Yes... see my post about “Ask about BYOS for discounts”.

Bring your own straw- nothing printed about it— take the discount at the discretion of the owner without printing anything on the receipt. Just do it. People will bring reusable silver straws (maybe the same ones they snort with later— who cares) in a special pocket case.

[Liz]

[Scrambler Bob]

Just what IS the defn of a ‘straw’?

[cyclotic]

I live an hour or so north of DC. I’m going to start bringing my own plastic straws and leaving them there.

I hate paper straws

[Svartalfiar]

D.C. Department of Energy and Environment’s

...Seriously? Funny thing, it's not 'exclusive Legislation' if they try to delegate their legislative authority to a city council/bureaucracy or whatever DC has.

The Congress shall have Power To… exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such Dis­trict (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Con­gress, become the Seat of the Gov­ernment of the United States… (The U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8, Clause 17)