Bill seeks plastic straw fee

A senator wants to reduce the use of harmful plastics by imposing additional charges on plastic straws.

Sen. Sonny Angara filed Senate Bill No. 952 or the “Proposed Straw Regulation Act” which seeks to charge P2 for each drinking straw in all commercial establishments, including supermarkets and retail stores.

Pre-packed drinks such as juice boxes should also not be sold with plastic straws attached to the product. Instead, straws should be provided at the point-of-sale for the same P2 per straw fee.

Meanwhile, plastic straws or tubes used for medical purposes, like those used by senior citizens and persons with disabilities and individuals who have limited mobility caused by stroke, arthritis and other medical conditions are exempted from the fee.

Violators will be fined P10,000 for the first offense, P20,000 for the second offense and up to P50,000 and cancellation of business permits for succeeding offenses.

Proceeds from the straw fee and fines would all go to environmental programs, including an information and awareness campaign on the effect of plastic drinking straws to aquatic animals and marine ecosystems.