Can I have a fork with that?
By Terry Murry on Monday, January 3rd, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA — Restaurants in Washington state can no longer automatically include single-use food service items like utensils, condiments, and straws with food orders. The new state law, which went into effect Saturday, restricts the use of these items and prohibits packaged bundles of single-use items in order to reduce waste and litter. Customers can still request individual items if needed.
Single-use food service ware items are also a major contaminant in Washington’s recycling system that decreases the value of recycled materials, according to the Washington State Department of Ecology.
The agency said reducing their use will protect the state’s rivers and streams, help the recycling system run more efficiently, and contribute to a growing culture of waste reduction and reuse.
