City Bans Single-Use Plastic in Restaurant Takeout

Through our Pitching Plastics column, we have been working hard to educate and encourage our readers to transition their purchasing practices to more plastic-free options. Hopefully, you’ve seen a reduction of plastic in your recycling bins and have had fun trying out new products! Keep up the good work!

Now we need your help. There’s been a lot of confusion around the new City Ordinance banning single-use foodware items in your takeout or delivery bag, which went into effect on January 18.

Here’s how it works: restaurants should not automatically provide single-use disposable plastic items to customers with their takeout or delivery orders. Single-use items should be included only when a customer specifically requests them. You should never be surprised with unwanted single-use plastic items in your takeout order, thwarting your hard work to reduce!

A reminder: straws, cup lids or food takeout containers are not covered by the ban, but single-use utensils, stirrers, toothpicks, napkins, cup sleeves, disposable plates, and condiment packets are. Also note, drive-thru restaurants, airport food services, and charities are exempt from the ordinance, so you’ll still get plastic from them by default.

So here's the problem. The ordinance does not contain an enforcement mechanism, meaning there are no repercussions for restaurants that continue to provide single-use plastic by default. And the city isn’t collecting data on compliance.

This is where you come in. Any time your takeout order includes disposable single-use items you did not specifically request, send the restaurant an email and copy your alderperson and the Environmental Action Committee at environment@lwvchicago.org. Include the date, restaurant name, and the surprise plastic they sent you. If you can attach a photo of the items, a picture is worth a thousand words. Respectfully remind the restaurant they’re not supposed to be handing this stuff out anymore; it’s the law. Additionally, submitting a Yelp or Google review is a good way to get the restaurant's attention.

And now, Lights, Camera, Action! Tune in virtually (or attend one of the five Chicago locations) on March 4 through 13 for the eleventh annual One Earth Film Festival: 21 top-issue, thought-provoking environmental films, showcasing opportunities for understanding climate change, sustainability and the power of human involvement.

We’ve got our eye on Plastic Bag Store: The Film, a movie where our distant descendants try to puzzle out the purpose of plastic. Watch it online on Friday, March 11, from 6:30–8:30, or in-person at 2210 W Pershing Rd or 5437 N Clark St. The movies are free, with a suggested donation of $8.

The next installment of Pitching Plastics will introduce our new webpage, so keep sending us your favorite Tips and Tricks for plastic reduction! And please join us for our regular committee meetings, the first and third Monday of each month from 4–5pm. Our world needs you!