DISPOSABLE FOODWARE ACCESSORIES RESTRICTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
What does the ordinance INCLUDE?
Disposable foodware accessories will be provided to customers only upon request. A disposable foodware accessory is any item that accompanies food or beverages, including utensils (cutlery and other items used to serve or eat food), straws, napkins, condiments, and wet wipes.
Why an Ordinance?
- Many automatically provided disposable foodware accessories are thrown away, even when unused.
- Single-use plastic cutlery is rarely recyclable, instead going to the landfill or becoming litter that pollutes waterways and sensitive ecosystems.
- Single-use plastics are made from fossil fuel-derived chemicals. Plastic production has increased dramatically over the past 20 years and significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change impacts.
Who IS affected?
This ordinance impacts food service establishments, which encompasses any retail establishment or restaurant that sells prepared food for consumption, including from a temporary facility, cart, vehicle, or mobile unit.
how is my business be affected?
Food service establishments are required to:
1) Provide disposable foodware accessories to customers only when requested.
2) Place signs on the premises to inform customers and employees that disposable foodware accessories are offered only upon request.
- Download ready-to-use signs here:
- Sign for front of restaurant: Disposable Foodware Accessories Available Upon Request
- Sign for employees: Disposable Foodware Accessories Employee Sign
- Interested in creating your own signs? Follow these simple guidelines:
3) Update their digital ordering platform to communicate that disposable foodware accessories are offered only upon request.
4) Educate staff to inform customers that disposable foodware accessories are offered only upon request.
For a summary of the ordinance, refer to the Disposable Foodware Accessories Ordinance Fact Sheet
When did the ordinance go into effect?
Ordinance Effective Date: November 27, 2021 - Final Disposable Foodware Accessories Ordinance (Current Code)
Ordinance Adoption: October 26, 2021
Ordinance Introduction: October 12, 2021 - Draft Disposable Foodware Accessories Ordinance (PDF)
