SACRAMENTO, Calif. _ For California Assemblyman Ian Calderon, it was apparently the last straw.
The Democratic legislator from Whittier read reports by environmental groups that up to 500 million plastic beverage straws are used every day in the United States and then immediately discarded, adding to the flow of trash to landfills and litter polluting lakes and beaches.
Calderon said Tuesday he plans to introduce legislation this week that would prohibit sit-down restaurants in California from providing straws to customers unless they are requested. The measure would exclude fast-food restaurants.
"How long have people know(n) that plastic is harmful to the environment? Still we all use it. This is a measured approach that helps change behavior," Calderon wrote on Twitter.
Even in a state that has previously banned plastic, single-use grocery bags, Calderon acknowledged some people will have to be convinced of the merit of his proposal.
"Convenience is a tough thing for people to give up. If it's there, still likely people will use it even with an educational campaign," he wrote.
The proposal is likely to garner a tough look by the California Restaurant Association, whose officials did not immediately answer a request for comment, although some restaurants have voluntarily adopted policies of providing straws only on request.
