France becomes the first country to ban plastic plates and cutlery

France stays on top of the major issues the country faces.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/france-becomes-the-first-country-to-ban-plastic-plates-and-cutlery-a7316816.html

The general idea behind the law -- following the landmark conference held in Paris last fall on curbing global warming -- is to promote a "circular economy" of waste disposal, "from product design to recycling," French lawmakers say.

Objections to plastic as a material are well known. For one, it does not biodegrade and only breaks down into smaller and smaller particles, which pose a significant danger for wildlife that cannot always distinguish it from food sources, particularly in oceans.

Well, there is plastic that can be broken down, but only under specific conditions. Nothing wrong with it if people are actually recycling, but bad juju if they aren't. It's not a horrible step. Anytime I get something from a fast food place I look at all the plastic and paper that doesn't get recycled. Too many industries aren't acting responsibly, so I can't say this is a bad way for the government to step in and make them change.