An ordinance just approved by the Stamford Board of Representatives will ban single-use plastic in the city's restaurants. "We have to start getting away from plastics," said Karen Camporeale, the representative who sponsored the ordinance. "They're pervasive, they're in every single thing that we touch and eat, science is telling us that it's in our bodies." The ordinance states that anything made out of black plastic will be banned everywhere, along with plastic utensils. Dine-in restaurants will have to provide reusable utensils and dishes, and only give customers straws and stirrers if specifically asked for, and those will have to be biodegradable. Take-out food must also be put in biodegradable containers, with an exception for soup or some other liquids, which can still be put in plastic. Utensils also will not be automatically included with take-out. Customers who want them need to either ask, or get them from a self-service area. "The restaurant owners are opposed to it because of the cost factor and everything else. We just have to pass it on to the consumer I guess, we have no other option," said Anthony Nargi, the co-owner of Remo's Brick Oven Pizza. "We use plastic for like almost everything," added Andres Oyola, the assistant manager at Lorca Coffee Bar. "The biodegradable stuff just melts." Mayor Caroline Simmons is expected to officially sign the ordinance into law within the next few weeks. "The goal is to make Stamford a more sustainable city, so this is a step in the right direction," says Simmons. After it gets her signature, the first parts of the plan go into effect in nine months, with the rest being phased in over three years. "We think giving that a three-year grace period will give both the business community and the city time to monitor the adoption of this, and see whether it's working, and if we need to make adjustments, we will absolutely do that," Simmons said. Places that violate the ban will get a written notice the first time and then a $250 fine for every violation after. "I know that every responsible restaurant owner would not want to poison the very people that are committing to being their customers," said Camporeale. Business owners said they are not necessarily opposed to helping the environment or being healthier. "There's so many other things that are contributing to the environment. Just a couple cups won't make a difference," says Oyola. The ordinance will also apply to Stamford's public schools but will not go into effect there for 10 years.