Skip the Stuff in Maryland

Help Surfrider Foundation Ocean City Chapter pass Maryland bill HB135, which would enact a statewide prohibition of giving plastic utensils, straws, condiment packages, stirrers, and lid plugs to customers in restaurants and bars, unless customers specifically request those items. This bill would save restaurants money and reduce litter in our communities.

Plastic straws and utensils are consistently one of the most commonly found items at beach cleanups. These items are petroleum-based products that do not biodegrade. Instead, they break down into smaller and smaller pieces that are often mistaken for food by marine wildlife..

Plastic litter and waste management threaten human health and underserved communities, where a majority of waste disposal facilities are found. Reducing plastic waste also saves our communities money, in reduced clean up and disposal costs. 

We are asking for two simple changes to this bill, which will make it less confusing and more effective. The first is the exemption for drive through customers. Treating customers in the drive through line differently from customers inside a restaurant is not only confusing for customers and employees, but also exempts a large amount of single use plastics.

Secondly, we are asking for bill language to address 3rd party food delivery apps like Grubhub. Without addressing apps, it will be very confusing for restaurants and customers as to who is responsible for implementing this common sense bill.

 Take a few minutes and fill out our action alert so we can pass bill HB135!