A sweeping ban on single-use plastics, including straws and plastic cutlery, has been approved by the Atlanta City Council.
The measure applies to all public buildings in the city, including Atlanta-Hartsfield International Airport, WSB-TV reports.
If approved by Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, the plastics ban would go into effect in December 2020.
“This is the responsible thing to do,” said council member Amir Farokhi, who introduced the legislation. “It’s a small but meaningful step to take to reduce the reliance on products derived by fossil fuels.”
Farokhi also has pushed for merchants to voluntarily stop using plastic bags.
Some travellers at the airport said they understood the need for reducing plastic use but were skeptical about alternatives to plastic items currently in use.
“Paper [straws] disintegrate. I think we’ve tried bamboo ones. They also don’t do a very good job,” said airline passenger Marlee Maneri. “You end up eating some paper, so I’m not sure what they would provide as an alternative.”
