Europe Plans Ban on Plastic Cutlery, Straws and More (cnn.com)

Europe is proposing a ban on single-use plastic items such as cutlery, straws and cotton buds in a bid to clean up the oceans. From a report: The European Commission wants to ban 10 items that make up 70% of all litter in EU waters and on beaches. The list also includes plastic plates and drink stirrers. The draft rules were unveiled Monday but need the approval of all EU member states and the European Parliament. It could take three or four years for the rules to come into force. The legislation is not just about banning plastic products. It also wants to make plastic producers bear the cost of waste management and cleanup efforts, and it proposes that EU states must collect 90% of single-use plastic bottles by 2025 through new recycling programs.

Comments

Re:Please no

[Pfhorrest]

I actually use bamboo chopsticks at home whenever possible because of this.

Bringing my own utensils when eating out would be kind of difficult/annoying/awkward, though.

Wouldn't the solution be

[rsilvergun]

restaurants that have reusable utensils? This will hurt fast food, but I can't really think of a problem fast food solves that doesn't have better solutions. The biggest problem it solves is overworked people with 2-3 jobs who don't have time to cook/clean. Best solution there is a solid middle class that doesn't need 3 jobs per person to get by.