Chicago diners may soon be on the hook to remember to order forks along with their appetizers.
Under an ordinance the City Council Environmental Protection Committee advanced Monday, people who want plastic utensils with their carry-out and delivery meals from local restaurants would need to request them.
Microplastics are finding their way into our food and water, but how much?
Restaurants would be required to either provide a self-service station for diners to pick up utensils, napkins, toothpicks, drink trays and other disposables themselves, or would have to ask people if they want them.
But straws, drink lids, Styrofoam takeout containers and cup sleeves for coffee would be exempted from the new rules, as would orders picked up at drive-thrus.
Supporters touted the change as an important way to lower the amount of plastic that ends up in the trash, while sparing restaurants struggling during the pandemic from having to immediately meet stricter rules like those in some other cities that would completely outlaw many plastic products.
“I firmly believe this ordinance is a step in the right direction to reduce waste, to save businesses money and promote good sustainable behavior,” said Northwest Side Ald. Samantha Nugent, 39th. “Plastic waste is at an all-time high, especially since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. When you order takeout delivery, it seems the bag is always half full of utensils, extra napkins and condiments.”
But local environmentalist Jordan Parker derided the proposal as not going nearly far enough to limit plastic in restaurants.
“This ordinance is masquerading as a pro-environment step in the right direction, but in actuality, it is pro-industry, pro-fossil fuel and pro-plastic green washing,” Parker said during testimony at the meeting. “If you pass this ordinance out of committee today, it will block critical and necessary legislation from being implemented at a later date, and set dangerous precedent.”
The plan passed the committee 9-6. The full City Council will consider it Tuesday.
Top pics from the weekend: Sept. 11 anniversary and more
APTOPIX California Dailye Life
Lightning strikes in the area of Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, near Santa Rosa, Calif. (Kent Porter/The Press Democrat via AP)
APTOPIX Sun Sparks Basketball
The Los Angeles Sparks huddle before their WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
APTOPIX Afghan Refugees
A man walks with a child through Fort Bliss’ Doña Ana Village where Afghan refugees are being housed, in New Mexico, Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. The Biden administration provided the first public look inside the U.S. military base where Afghans airlifted out of Afghanistan are screened, amid questions about how the government is caring for the refugees and vetting them. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
APTOPIX Brazil Indigenous Women
An Indigenous woman attends an Indigenous women’s march to protest the policies of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and in favor of women’s rights and the demarcation of Indigenous lands in Brasilia, Brazil, Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
APTOPIX Italy Venice Film Festival 2021 The Last Duel Red Carpet
Jennifer Lopez, right, and Ben Affleck pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film ‘The Last Duel’ during the 78th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
APTOPIX Sept 11 20th Anniversary
Visitors to the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pa., participate in a sunset memorial service, Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, as the nation prepares to mark the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
APTOPIX Afghanistan
Children play at a park in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
APTOPIX Sept 11 Rebuilding Ground Zero Church
The Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox National Shrine, right, is illuminated for the first time, late Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, at the World Trade Center in New York, marking a milestone in the reconstruction of the only house of worship to be destroyed on 9/11. The lighting comes from within panels of marble, quarried from the same vein used for the ancient Greek Parthenon. The church is designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, with its dome, windows and iconography inspired by historic former Byzantine churches, including the world-renowned Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
APTOPIX US Open Tennis
Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, reacts after winning the third set against Alexander Zverev, of Germany, during the semifinals of the US Open tennis championships, Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
APTOPIX Kansas Coastal Carolina Football
Kansas safety Kenny Logan Jr., right, breaks up a pass to Coastal Carolina tight end Isaiah Likely during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Conway, S.C., Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Coastal Carolina won 49-22. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
APTOPIX Italy F1 GP Auto Racing
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during the first practice session ahead of Sunday’s Italian Formula One Grand Prix, at the Monza racetrack, in Monza, Italy, Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
APTOPIX Britain Soccer Premier League
Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
APTOPIX Sept 11 Pentagon
An American flag is unfurled at the Pentagon in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at sunrise on the morning of the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. The American flag is draped over the site of impact at the Pentagon. In the foreground, the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, opened in 2008 adjacent to the site, commemorates the lives lost at the Pentagon and onboard American Airlines Flight 77. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
APTOPIX UTEP Boise St Football
UTEP wide receiver Jacob Cowing (6) breaks through the tackle attempt by Boise State defensive end Demitri Washington (38) on a 38-yard touchdown reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
APTOPIX Sept 11 20th Anniversary
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, center, and former New York City police commissioner Bernard Kerik, left, attend ceremonies to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP)
APTOPIX Sept 11 20th Anniversary
A firefighter places his hand on the name engravings on the south pool during ceremonies to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
APTOPIX Afghanistan
The iconic Taliban flag is painted on a wall outside the American embassy compound in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
APTOPIX Russia Olympics Putin
Russian Olympic champions and medalists arrive to attend an awarding ceremony leads by Russian President Vladimir Putin for the Russian Olympic Committee’s medalists of the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics at the St Catherine Hall in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (Sergei Guneyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
APTOPIX Italy Venice Film Festival 2021 Closing Ceremony Red Carpet
Penelope Cruz poses for photographers upon arrival at the closing ceremony of the 78th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
APTOPIX Sept 11 20th Anniversary
Hands touch the names of people who were killed during the attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, as families gather at the National September 11 Memorial in New York on the 20th anniversary of the attacks, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (Craig Ruttle/Newsday via AP, Pool)
APTOPIX Pittsburgh Tennessee Football
Pittsburgh wide receiver Melquise Stovall (4) catches a touchdown pass in front of Tennessee defensive back Theo Jackson (26) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
APTOPIX Italy Venice Film Festival 2021 Closing Ceremony
Maggie Gyllenhaal holds the Best Screenplay award for ‘The Lost Daughter’ onstage at the closing ceremony during the 78th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)
APTOPIX Tulsa Oklahoma St Football
Oklahoma State wide receiver Bryson Green (19) reaches for but can’t hold onto a pass while defended by Tulsa cornerback Tyon Davis (0) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
APTOPIX Alabama St Auburn Football
Auburn quarterback Bo Nix (10) comes up short as he stretches for the goal line as Alabama State linebacker Jake Howard (46) tackles him during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
APTOPIX Germany Bundesliga Soccer
Bayern’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, right, goes up for the save during the German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and FC Bayern Munich in Leipzig, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
APTOPIX Spain Catalonia
A girl waves a pro-independence flag as demonstrators march during the Catalan National Day in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. Thousands of Catalans have rallied for independence from the rest of Spain in their first major mass gathering since the start of the pandemic. The march in Barcelona on Saturday comes before a meeting between regional leaders in northeast Catalonia and the Spanish government. ( AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra)
APTOPIX Sept 11 20th Anniversary
Former President George W. Bush, right center, bumps fists with Flight 93 National Memorial superintendent Stephen M. Clark, left, after participating in a Service of Remembrance at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pa., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, as the nation marks the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
APTOPIX Sept. 11 Slain Marine
The casket of Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, a U.S. Marine who was among 13 service members killed in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan, is carried into the Farrah Funeral Home in her hometown of Lawrence, Mass, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
APTOPIX Toledo Notre Dame Football
Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams (23) scores a touchdown in front of Toledo’s Saeed Holt (20) and Nate Givhan (48) during an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
APTOPIX Mercer Alabama Football
Alabama running back Jase McClellan (21) returns a blocked punt for a touchdown against Mercer during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
APTOPIX South Carolina E Carolina Football
South Carolina’s Dakereon Joyner (5) is taken down by East Carolina’s D.J. Ford (9) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Greenville, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
APTOPIX Mexico Landslide
An evacuee uses a wheelbarrow to transport his belongings away from the site of a landslide that brought tons of massive boulders down on a steep hillside neighborhood, in Tlalnepantla, on the outskirts of Mexico City, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. A section of the peak known as Chiquihuite gave way Friday afternoon, plunging rocks the size of small homes onto the densely populated neighborhood. (AP Photo/Ginnette Riquelme)
APTOPIX Chile Coup Anniversary
A protester wears a mask adorned with an anti-Nazi symbol during protests marking the 48th anniversary of the 1973 military coup and the death of Chile’s late President Salvador Allende, in Santiago, Chile, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. The coup ousting the democratically elected leader, Allende, began the dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
APTOPIX Buffalo Nebraska Football
Nebraska’s Gabe Ervin Jr. (22) leaps into the end zone for a touchdown ahead of Buffalo’s James Patterson (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
APTOPIX Israel Palestinians Prisoners Escape
Mohammed Aradeh, center, is surrounded by guards in a courtroom in Nazareth, Israel, after he and three other Palestinian fugitives were captured on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. Israeli police on Saturday said they have arrested four of the six Palestinians who broke out of a maximum-security prison this week including a famed militant leader whose exploits over the years have made him a well-known figure in Israel. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
APTOPIX Sept 11 Biden
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden participate in a wreath ceremony on the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks at the Pentagon in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, standing at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial site, which commemorates the lives lost at the Pentagon and onboard American Airlines Flight 77. With the President, not shown, are Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Douglas Emhoff, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley and his wife Hollyanne Milley. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
APTOPIX Boston College UMass Football
Massachusetts wide receiver Eric Collins (80) makes a touchdown catch against Boston College defensive back Josh DeBerry (21) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Amherst, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
APTOPIX Chile Coup Anniversary
A protester holds a portrait of Chile’s late President Salvador Allende during protests marking the anniversary of the 1973 military coup and his subsequent death, in Santiago, Chile, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. The coup ousting the democratically elected leader, Allende, began the dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
APTOPIX Mexico Landslide
Residents evacuate from their home at the site of a landslide that brought tons of massive boulders down on a steep hillside neighborhood, in Tlalnepantla, on the outskirts of Mexico City, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. A section of the peak known as Chiquihuite gave way Friday afternoon, plunging rocks the size of small homes onto the densely populated neighborhood. (AP Photo/Ginnette Riquelme)
APTOPIX US Open Tennis
Emma Raducanu, of Britain, reacts after winning the first set against Leylah Fernandez, of Canada, during the women’s singles final of the US Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
APTOPIX Southern Illinois Kansas St Football
Southern Illinois wide receiver Izaiah Hartrup (82) jumps between Kansas State linebacker Cody Fletcher (55) and Kansas State defensive back Trey Krause (24) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
APTOPIX Hungary Pope
A girl holds a torch during a procession joined by tens of thousands in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, the day before the final mass of International Eucharistic Congress which will be attended by Pope Francis. Pope Francis is making his first foreign trip since undergoing intestinal surgery in July, a four-day visit to Hungary and Slovakia starting Sunday which will not only test his health but also provide what may be one of the most awkward moments of his papacy, a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the sort of populist, right-wing leader Francis typically scorns. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
APTOPIX Guinea Opposition Returns
A supporter of Guinea’s Opposition Leader, Sidya Toure, wears a face mask bearing his portrait upon his arrival in Conakry, Guinea, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. Toure, one of the opposition leaders who left Guinea ten months ago, returned on Saturday to Conakry, nearly a week after the militaries removed president Alpha Conde from power. Toure, leader of the Union of Republican Forces party (UFR), was welcomed by dozens of his followers in the capital of the country. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
APTOPIX Sept 11 20th Anniversary
The annual “Tribute in Light” is illuminated on the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Brittainy Newman)
APTOPIX Afghanistan
Girls walk upstairs as they enter a school before class in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)
APTOPIX Washington Michigan Football
Michigan running back Blake Corum (2) celebrates a touchdown with teammates during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Washington in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
APTOPIX Sept 11 20th Anniversary
The annual “Tribute in Light” is illuminated on the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Brittainy Newman)
APTOPIX Cardinals Titans Football
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) catches a touchdown pass as he is defended by Tennessee Titans cornerback Jackrabbit Jenkins (20) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
APTOPIX Russia SUP Surfing Festival
People steer their SUP boards during a SUP (Stand Up Paddle)-Surfing festival at Krylatskoye Olympic rowing canal in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
APTOPIX France Arc de Triomphe
People walk by the Arc de Triomphe being wrapped early Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021 in Paris. The “L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped” project by late artist Christo and Jeanne-Claude will be on view from, Sept. 18 to Oct. 3. The famed Paris monument will be wrapped in 25,000 square meters of fabric in silvery blue, and with 3,000 meters of red rope. (AP Photo/Rafal Yaghobzadeh)
APTOPIX Russia Daily Life
People walk reflecting in a mirror installation after sunset in Red Square in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
APTOPIX France Elections
Marine Le Pen walks on stage, at a National Rally event in Frejus, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. Two politicians have formally declared their intentions to seek to become France’s first female president in next year’s spring election. National Rally’s Marine Le Pen and Paris’ Socialist mayor, Anne Hidalgo, both officially launched their campaigns Sunday in what were widely expected moves. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)
APTOPIX Pope Hungary
Pope Francis arrives on his popemobile to celebrate mass for the closing of the International Eucharistic Congress, at Budapest’s Heroes Square, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. Francis is opening his first foreign trip since undergoing major intestinal surgery in July, embarking on an intense, four-day, two-nation trip to Hungary and Slovakia that he has admitted might be overdoing it. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgi41
APTOPIX Dolphins Patriots Football
New England Patriots outside linebacker Matt Judon (9) tackles Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
APTOPIX US Open Tennis
Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, returns a shot to Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, during the men’s singles final of the US Open tennis championships, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
APTOPIX Browns Chiefs Football
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) scores past Cleveland Browns linebacker Malcolm Smith, right, and safety M.J. Stewart Jr., left, during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
APTOPIX US Open Tennis
Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, kisses the championship trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, in the men’s singles final of the US Open tennis championships, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
APTOPIX Britain Politics
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson listens to apprentice Amy Gray during a visit to a British Gas training academy in Leicestershire, England, Monday, Sept. 13, 2021.(AP Photo/Rui Vieira, Pool)
APTOPIX Malaysia Politics
In this photo released by Malaysia’s Department of Information, Malaysia’s King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, right, receives documents from Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob during the opening ceremony of the parliamentary session at the parliament house in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, Sept. 13, 2021. Barely a month in office, Malaysia’s new leader has won opposition support to shore up his fragile government in exchange for a slew of reforms as Parliament reopened Monday. (Nazri Rapaai/Malaysia’s Department of Information via AP)
APTOPIX Virus Outbreak Vietnam
A woman receives a shot of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in Vung Tau, Vietnam, Monday, Sep. 13, 2021. Vietnam is speeding up its vaccination program in an effort to loosen coronavirus lockdown restrictions in major cities by the end of September, the government said. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)
APTOPIX 2021 MTV Video Music Awards – Show
Host Doja Cat speaks at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
APTOPIX 2021 MTV Video Music Awards – Show
Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters performs at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
APTOPIX Pope Hungary
Pope Francis celebrates a mass for the closing of the International Eucharistic Congress, at Budapest’s Heroes Square, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. Francis is opening his first foreign trip since undergoing major intestinal surgery in July, embarking on an intense, four-day, two-nation trip to Hungary and Slovakia that he has admitted might be overdoing it. (AP Photo/Laszlo Balogh)
APTOPIX Virus Outbreak Philippines
Mariel Albia is inoculated with China’s Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine in Quezon city, Philippines on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021. The government continues to urge Filipinos to get vaccinated as COVID-19 cases keep rising in the country. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
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