ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A Florida bill is taking aim at paper straws.
Legislation introduced in both the House and Senate would require jurisdictions with straw regulations to allow options other than paper.
The bill argues that paper straws are harmful to both the environment and human health.
What You Need To Know
A Florida bill that has been introduced would require jurisdictions with straw laws to allow alternatives to paper
The city of St. Petersburg has already banned single-use plastic straws
If the bill passes, St. Petersburg Councilwoman Gina Driscoll said the city would amend its plastic straw ban to include paper straws
Many downtown St. Petersburg businesses already use paper and plastic straw alternatives
St. Petersburg has already prohibited single-use plastic straws, and many businesses downtown now rely on straws made from a variety of materials.
The Wooden Rooster on 2nd Avenue, known for its crepes, has seen its straw options evolve over the years. After the city banned plastic straws in 2018, the restaurant switched to paper straws. When customers expressed dissatisfaction, the business moved to green biodegradable straws.
“Paper straws were a big thing. They were like, ‘Please tell me that you have regular straws,’” said Melissa Phillips, general manager of The Wooden Rooster. “We have the biodegradable straws, which they’re happy with because they’re not the flimsy or soggy paper straws.”
The Florida bill would require jurisdictions with straw laws to permit alternatives to paper. It states that if a local government enacts a straw rule, the straws must be renewable, home compostable, industrially compostable and marine biodegradable.
“Our planet is important, the sea animals are important, specifically the turtles. I’m definitely not opposed to that,” Phillips said.
A study published in the journal Food Additives and Contaminants found that among five straw materials, paper contained the highest levels of PFAS, often referred to as forever chemicals.
“The more we learn about PFAS chemicals, the more we want to ensure that we’re minimizing the exposure that humans have to that,” said St. Petersburg 6th District Councilwoman Gina Driscoll.
If the bill becomes law, Driscoll said the city would amend its single-use plastic prohibition to include paper straws.
“We’ve got such a wonderful waterfront, our marine life is sacred to us and being a healthy community is extremely important. So, this could be really good news for a city like St. Petersburg,” Driscoll said.
The Wooden Rooster has already extended similar changes beyond straws to include cups.
“It’s important to do our part,” Phillips said.
The Florida legislative session begins Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026.
In 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning the federal use of paper straws, meaning paper straws cannot be served in federal buildings.
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