Plastic drinking straws are officially outlawed in Fort Myers Beach.
A ban approved November 6th by the Town Council took effect Sunday.
It exempts plastic straws used in private homes, at the Beach public school or those prepackaged with drinks outside the town. Otherwise, straws must be made of paper or other materials containing nothing artificial or synthetic.
Those taking part in a group beach clean-up on Sunday told the "Fort Myers News Press" that they were finding far fewer plastic drinking straws this year.