The municipal council of Querétaro agreed yesterday to start phasing out the free distribution of plastic straws in restaurants.

Acting mayor Enrique Correa Sada explained that the technical aspects of the new regulations have yet to be worked out, and that a full prohibition won’t go into effect until March.

In the interim, the municipality will launch an information campaign about the new regulation, and give restaurateurs time to exhaust their supplies of straws.

The president of the Querétaro chapter of the restaurant industry association Canirac told the newspaper Milenio that its 185 members have reduced their plastic straw use by 95% over the last six months.

Current practice is only to provide a straw when a customer asks for one, said Sergio Salmón Franz.

He also said he supports the idea of biodegradable straws, but their use is up to each restaurateur.

The decision by council to phase out straws comes after its August decision to restrict the use of plastic bags.

Source: Milenio (sp)