From plastic to paper straws, some Rehoboth businesses may be making the switch

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del.- The City of Rehoboth Beach Environmental Commission along with some other community groups made the recommendation to eliminate single- use plastic straws.

And from there, the City Commissioners asked businesses to make the switch from plastic to biodegradable or paper.

“Here in Rehoboth beach we are a strong community, a very proactive community, to be a leader in protecting our plant is important,” Edward Chrzanowski, a Rehoboth Beach Commissioner, said.

The resolution encourages these businesses to offer alternative straws beginning January 1st.

But I’m told for those making the switch it may cost more.

“It is slightly more costly to go to biodegradable or paper over plastic, and a lot of business’s already have a large inventory of plastic straws,” Chrzanowski, said.

One Rehoboth business owner said he is in favor of making the switch.

But agrees that it can be costly, something that could trickle down to the customer.

“They’re going to have to get used to paying higher prices because if we’re not going to be able to use Styrofoam for instance anymore or single use plastic straws anymore, the alternative are more expensive and as a result that has be passed along to the customer,” Warren Rosenfeld, the owner of Rosenfeld’s Jewish Deli in Rehoboth, said.

While it may cause concern for your wallet, it’s a recommendation, that could help the area in the long run.

“It’s not a mandate its a recommendation, we didn’t want to put the hardship and businesses at this time to make it a mandatory requirement,” Chrzanowski said.

“I think doing away with plastic and other items that can be in the landfill forever we have to be the responsible ones to do away with that,” Rosenfeld, said.

We are told by one of the commissioners that if all goes well, a year from now they may look at additional measures to reduce the use of other plastics being used.

We are told the resolution was passed by the Mayor and commissioners unanimously on May 21.

And members of the Environment Committee are designing an educational table placard for restaurant and bars to use, and planning meetings with restaurant staff  to talk about the importance of the resolution and answer questions they may have.