FLORIDA – If you’ve ever taken a sip only to end up chewing on a soggy paper straw, you’re not alone — and Florida lawmakers are taking notice.
A newly filed bill in Florida could change what kind of straws and stirrers you’re handed at restaurants and bars across the state. The proposal is already sparking strong opinions online, with supporters and critics weighing in on everything from environmental impact to potential health concerns.
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The debate centers around Senate Bill 958, sponsored by Republican Senator Jennifer Bradley. The bill aims to set statewide guidelines for how cities and counties regulate drinking straws and stirrers, potentially undoing years of local bans on single-use plastic.
Opinions among Floridians are divided.
“I hate paper straws, but I get why they’re good for the environment,” Zach Harris said. “Plastic is pretty gross, but paper straws can be annoying.”
Others say they’re fully on board with paper alternatives.
“I’m a fan,” Hannah Bryan said, who recently moved to Florida. “I’ve been to so many places where this is already a thing. They’re much better for the environment, and they’re biodegradable.”
Supporters of SB 958 say the goal is uniformity, so businesses aren’t forced to follow different straw rules from city to city.
Under the proposal:
- Local governments could still regulate straws and stirrers, but only if the materials are:
- Renewable
- Home compostable (certified)
- Industrial compostable (certified)
- Or marine biodegradable
Lawmakers backing the bill argue it still limits single-use plastics while addressing concerns tied to paper straws.
The proposal points to a 2024 study that found PFAS — often called “forever chemicals” — present in many paper drinking straws. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to potential health risks, raising questions about whether paper straws are truly the safer option.
Several Florida cities, including Orlando, West Palm Beach, Miami Beach, and Fort Lauderdale, currently ban single-use plastic straws in certain settings. Those local rules have pushed businesses toward paper or plant-based alternatives.
If passed, the bill would apply statewide and could override those existing local bans.
“Anything involving straws is going to get pushback,” Jessica Hensen said. “People have strong opinions — some like straws, some don’t — so there’s always going to be resistance.”
Florida’s legislative session begins January 13. If SB 958 passes, it could reshape what you’re handed with your next drink — and keep the straw debate swirling well into the future