An overview of plastic straw policies in the Americas

Abstract

Although plastic straws account for a small fraction of urban residue, they are also found in marine and coastal waste, raising concerns in the community and resulting in policies to curb or ban improper disposal. These policies are still little documented and discussed in the scientific literature. This review article aims at surveying, categorizing and analyzing existing regulations on the American continent (North, Central and South America and the Caribbean). The regulations were analyzed in terms of straw bans; obligations regarding the type of raw material used in manufacturing; accessibility-related exceptions to bans; and the adoption of environmental education measures. A total of 363 regulations enacted in 62.8% of American countries were examined, 37% of which need technical standards to support their requirements. In Central America and the Caribbean, it is primarily the regulations that provide environmental education. Locations with a strong beach tourism economy have enacted plastic straw regulations.

Keywords: Drinking Straws; Plastic straws; Public policies; Regulation; Single-use plastics.