[Adopted 11-8-2018 by L.L. No. 10-2018[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This article was adopted as Ch. 109, but
was placed in this article by the codifier for organizational purposes.
A.
The Rye Brook Board of Trustees hereby finds that plastic straws,
when irresponsibly discarded, negatively impact water quality and
marine life and pose an environmental hazard to the health, safety
and welfare of the citizens and visitors of the Village of Rye Brook.
B.
Straws made out of paper, plant, vegetable and other natural products
are available in the market and are a more environmentally-friendly
alternative to plastic straws.
C.
The Board of Trustees recognizes that making straws available upon
request will reduce the plastic put into the environment, helping
to preserve our community. Allowing customers to make a choice regarding
whether or not they want a straw for their beverage empowers each
patron to make a choice to help eliminate plastic pollution, and is
a step towards the elimination of single use plastic.
For the purposes of this article, the following definitions
shall apply:
A tube for transferring a beverage from its container to
the mouth of the drinker by suction.
The ability of a material to break down, within one year,
into natural materials in the natural environment without causing
harm.
The vending, selling or delivering of a straw for any purpose,
other than as defined herein. Distribution does not include provision
of a straw on private property used as a residence, or on property
used for school purposes, or by beverages prepared and packaged outside
the Village, provided such beverage is not altered, packaged or repacked
within the Village.
Any establishment which serves made-to-order food or beverages
for dine-in, takeout, or delivery. Food establishments shall include,
but are not limited to, restaurants, cafes, fast-food establishments
and food establishments within grocery stores.
A product that is designed and intended to be used only once
in its same form by the customer, food vendor or other entity.
A.
No food establishment in the Village of Rye Brook shall offer or
distribute to consumers any single-use beverage straw made of plastic
or any other nonbiodegradable material. Food service establishments
may provide beverage straws, including those prohibited by this article,
to any person solely upon request of the consumer.
B.
Food establishments may post a sign in a location easily visible
to each customer which may state: "Single-use beverage straw available
upon request."
This article shall be enforced by the Village of Rye Brook Police
Department, the Village Building Inspector and the Village Code Enforcement
Officer.
Any food establishment violating this article shall be guilty
of a violation and shall receive a warning for the first violation,
may be subject to a fine in the amount of $150 for the second violation,
$200 for the third violation, and $250 for the fourth and subsequent
violations occurring within a one-year period.
