Fulton County plans to eliminate single-use plastics
Fulton County commissioners on Wednesday agreed to phase-out single-use plastics like forks and straws in government buildings.
The county seeks to completely eliminate such plastic items in its buildings by the end of the year. Its list includes plastic food containers, bags, cups and cutlery.
A resolution asks companies that work with the county to look for non-plastic alternatives in the future. The proposal was forwarded to other Fulton County cities, in the hope that they would follow suit.
The resolution cites research that shows the poor environmental impact of plastics, and said they enter the county’s wastewater system, rivers and creeks, contributing to blockages which can be expensive to remove.
The county said it wants to ensure the efforts don’t conflict with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The measure passed with a 4-0 vote.
About the Author
Arielle Kass covers Gwinnett County for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She started at the paper in 2010, and has covered business and local government beats around metro Atlanta. Arielle is a graduate of Emory University.
