Biden admin will ban federal government using plastic cutlery to combat climate change

The Biden administration announced a plan to target plastic pollution, dedicating particular focus to “phase out” single-use plastics – such as kitchen cutlery, cups and straws – across federal departments. 

President Biden announced the order taking aim at the “climate crisis” in July which would require an “all-hands-on-deck response” from every federal agency. 

“The President is committed to taking ambitious actions… to end plastic pollution and is calling upon the global community to do the same, with the goal to reduce the global production and consumption of virgin plastics,” the White House said. 

As part of this plan, the White House announced a phase out of single-use plastics, which includes “plastic and polystyrene food and beverage containers, bottles, straws, cups, cutlery and disposable plastic bags.” 

“[T]he Biden-Harris Administration is announcing a new goal to phase out federal procurement of single-use plastics from food service operations, events, and packaging by , and from all federal operations by ,” the White House said. “Meeting the new goal… will further agencies’ obligations under the [previous] Executive Order.” 

Biden’s prior executive order aimed to reduce the sale of single-use plastic products on public lands. 

Some Republican lawmakers responded to the initiative, blasting the Biden admin for its “laughable” and “absurd” priorities.

“The world’s on fire and he’s worried about plastic forks,” Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., told the Daily Mail. 

“It’s more messaging and ridiculousness, and it’s a direct shot to that whole industry,’ Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., said. “It’s also clearly not where everybody is. It’s going to raise costs for a lot of folks so it seems to be just irrelevant on deficit issues.” 

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, said he anticipated it would affect “government workplaces” and “military bases.” 

He proposed that instead of reducing plastic, they should scale down on the federal behemoth. 

“They should shrink the government if they want it to be less of a consumer. The reason it’s the largest consumer is because it’s it employs so many people, and it’s doing so many things it was probably never intended to do,” he said. 

The Biden administration added that in cases of “national security,” some agencies can have some of their activities exempted from the executive order. 

“The head of an agency may exempt particular agency activities and related personnel, resources, and facilities from the provisions of this order when it is in the interest of national security, to protect intelligence sources and methods from unauthorized disclosure, or where necessary to protect undercover law enforcement operations from unauthorized disclosure,” the White House said. 

UPPER MERION TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) — Upper Merion Township has vowed to go reusable, but it hasn't been easy on businesses.

Beginning Monday, customers are seeing a lot fewer plastic utensils offered at businesses.

KOP Pizza in King of Prussia opened in April .

Over the past six months, Upper Merion Township's two-phase environmental sustainability regulations have disrupted the way the business operates.  

The township on Monday started enforcing the second phase of its single-use plastic ordinance, which bans establishments from offering plastic utensils.

Cashier Aleyah Frangiosa says the restaurant is transitioning to bamboo cutlery.

With 80% of the restaurant's orders being carry-out, it will be a challenging adjustment.

"We go through probably 100 plastic forks a day, just because of catering and everything. Companies don't keep plastic silverware in their business. So we have to give that out," Frangiosa said.

Upper Merion in January rolled out the first phase of the plan, which eliminated single-use plastic bags, straws and food service products.

Frangiosa worries this next phase will inflict a financial toll on businesses, among other negative effects.

"It's definitely way more expensive," Frangiosa said. "It's probably double or triple the price of plastic utensils. Also, customers have been complaining that the bamboo silverware leaves splinters." 

Not all customers are bothered by the change.

"It doesn't really affect me too much. I most of the stuff I'm taking from a restaurant I'm going to eat at home anyway," resident David Auth said.

Township officials call the initiative a proactive approach to saving the planet by cutting down on litter and waste.

"I don't think plastic silverware is the big issue," Auth said. "But I guess every little bit counts."

According to the ordinance, businesses that do not comply could face fines up to $250 per violation. 

So, what happens to all of the remaining plastic products?

"That's a good question. I think they will probably go in the trash, which I think is hypocritical," Frangiosa said. "Defeating the purpose."