Scenic California beach city bans plastic cutlery, straws

LOS ANGELES — It's the last straw for the California beachside city of Malibu.

The City Council voted Monday to ban all plastic cutlery and straws, citing concerns over keeping its famous beaches clean and further protecting the environment.

The move builds on the city's previous bans of plastic bags and Styrofoam. It's part of an overall strategy to eliminate all single-use plastic items in the Malibu, which has 21 miles of coast and is known as a haven for celebrities.

Mayor Rick Mullen said in a news release Tuesday that "ocean, beaches, and natural surroundings are a central part of life in Malibu."

The ban takes effect June 1.

A bill at the California Legislature would make it illegal for restaurants to provide plastic straws unless requested.