County Executive George Latimer signs bill making single-use plastic utensils available only upon request
Westchester County Executive George Latimer will enact a new measure aimed at reducing the amount of plastics in the county’s waste stream.
The measure was unanimously approved by the Westchester County Board of Legislators on Monday, March 6.
The law states that catering establishments will not provide single-use tableware or condiment packets to any customer eating or carrying food unless specifically requested.
In addition, single-use plastic beverage stirrers and single-use plastic beverage splash sticks will be prohibited.
Food retailers may sell packages or boxes of single-use plastic beverage stirrers or single-use plastic beverage splash sticks to their customers.
Finally, when requested, single-use food items or condiment packets must be provided individually and not in a package containing multiple items.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer commended the work done by the Board of Legislators and Legislator Erika Pierce in particular on this important but simple measure.
The Board of Legislators is focused on making Westchester a zero waste county, and this bill puts us in the right direction, according to Legislator Catherine Borgia.
Legislator Erika Pierce said we are drowning in unnecessary single-use items, most of which are made of plastic and all of which are being paid for by our local businesses.
And Environment, Energy and Climate Committee Vice Chair Nancy Barr said that today, Westchester is taking a strong stand to combat climate change by cutting down on unwanted single-use waste.
The law states that:
- No food service establishment shall provide single-use foodware or condiment packets to any dine-in or take-away customer unless specifically requested;
- Any single-use plastic beverage stirrers or single-use plastic beverage “splash sticks” are no longer permitted. Retail food stores may sell packages or boxes of single-use plastic beverage stirrers or single-use plastic beverage splash sticks to their customers;
- Lastly, when requested, single-use foodware items or condiment packets must be provided individually and not in a package containing multiple items.