Disposable single-use plastic straws are currently consumed at an alarming daily rate of 500 million straws per day in America. As a concerned resident of Fort Lauderdale, I am writing to ask you to consider introducing legislature an ordinance to ban the distribution of plastic straws and plastic utensils in any and all businesses that serve food or drink. This is a leadership opportunity for Fort Lauderdale to stop contributing to the waste of single use plastics through out our world.

Single-use plastics have proven to be an invasive threat to our environment on multiple levels. Plastic straws and utensils are lightweight and find their way into our oceans. Studies show the majority of marine species are now ingesting these plastics, which causes a ripple effect of harm.

For hopes of a stable future for our Planet, we need to stop allowing the use of single use plastics and encourage an eco friendly alternative. Fort Lauderdale should set an example in banning the use of plastic straws and plastic utensils.