California's new plastic straw law seems to be gaining popularity. The law mandates restaurants only hand out plastic straws to customers if they ask for them.
It's one of those compromises that most people on both sides say, "Well, yeah, that makes sense."
After all, banning plastic straws outright seems shortsighted. There are legitimate reasons to have them, including for people with disabilities that count on straws to be able to drink. But it seems silly to stuff straws in drinks before it even reaches the table.
NBC News took a look at the issue, with a report that quotes Scott DeFife of the Plastics Industry Association saying the organization supports these types of measures. The American Chemistry Council previously has said it is in favor of such laws. According to the report, seven other states are now considering similar legislation. They include Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Montana, New Jersey, Oregon and Rhode Island.
Not everyone is in favor of this approach. Groups like Greenpeace and U.S. PIRG would prefer outright bans. And they push back against states that move to pass preemption laws that essentially put a ban on bans.
But the story is an interesting national look at the issue.
I bring this story forward because five of the 10 straws I used in February were already in my drink before it ever came to me. Had a law existed in Michigan that limited my straw usage to only when I request one, I probably would have used half of the straws I used last month.
As my quest to count my straws moves into its third month, here are my totals for the year so far:
January: 9 straws or 0.29 straws a day.
February: 10 straws or 0.35 straws a day.
Total: 19 straws or 0.32 straws a day.
