The Pinecrest Village Council passed a law that prohibits the use, sale and distribution of plastic straws throughout the municipality. Supermarkets cannot sell them. Restaurants cannot distribute them. Visitors cannot bring them into the Village for parties or picnics. Plastic straws are banned in Pinecrest effective January 1, 2019. Village visitors and residents are encouraged to use biodegradable or reusable straws. One can also opt-out altogether.
The Village Council unanimously passed the law banning the use, distribution and sale of plastic straws at the October Village Council meeting due to the detrimental effect of plastic straws to wild life and the environment. This initiative is in line with the Sustainability and Innovation component of the Village Council’s Strategic Plan.
Pinecrest has a long history of environmental social responsibility and activism, as a community and as a municipal government. Over the last 20 years, the Village has been recognized locally and nationally for a variety of sustainability initiatives. It has implemented practices and procedures that include: 1) a climate change component in the Master Plan 2) green building regulations, 3) sustainable landscaping that requires planting native species such as Dade County/Pine trees, 4) a fleet of hybrid and electric vehicles, 5) free electric vehicle charging stations at two municipal parking areas, 6) preferred parking for hybrid and electric vehicles, 7) retrofitting municipal buildings with on off sensors for lighting and faucet hardware to decrease water consumption.
The Village is an active member of several recognized organizations that further green causes the include the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), the Florida Gold Coast Clean Cities Coalition, the U.S. Green Building Council and the Florida Green Building Coalition.
Comments are closed.