Reusable Foodware Ordinance

Single-use plastics are harmful to marine life.

• Half of all sea turtles and nearly all seabirds have eaten plastic.
• Utensils are one of the most harmful forms of plastic pollution to marine life.
• Straws and utensils are in the top ten most commonly found pieces of trash during beach cleanups.
• The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is double the size of Texas.
• By 2050, in a business as usual scenario, there is expected to be more plastic in the ocean than fish (by weight).
• Over 500,000,000 plastic straws are used each day in the United States In the United States.
• 7 trillion microplastics enter the San Francisco Bay annually through stormwater.

Bio-plastic foodware is not necessarily compostable or degradable, and some may contain toxic materials.

• Some bio-plastics may contain harmful chemicals such as PFOs and PFAs.
• When non-compostable bio-plastics enter compost processing facilities, they contaminate the waste stream.
• Bio-plastics do not always break down during the composting process.
• Bio-plastics look a lot like their plastic counterparts during the composting process.
• When bio-plastics end up in oceans and bays, they behave similar to regular plastics in the way they decompose, potentially harming marine life.

Nearly 90 percent of Marin’s organic material (food scraps and yard trimmings) is processed locally at the WM EarthCare^TM Compost Facility located on the Redwood Landfill in unincorporated Novato. The facility produces compost approved for organic farming. This compost is then used by local farmers and ranchers in Marin County to keep their soil, crops, and animals healthy. According to WM EarthCare^TM Compost Facility, “compost that is suitable for use in organic food production in California must be registered as an Organic Input Material with the California Department of Food and Agriculture. This means only a very limited, if any, amount and type of synthetic (i.e. paper and cardboard) material can be included. CDFA investigators conduct routine sampling and inspections, respond to consumer complaints and make sure facilities comply with the laws and regulations.” As such, WM EarthCare^TM Compost Facility does not accept many commonly labeled “compostable” materials such as bio-plastics.

The draft ordinance, which builds on the County’s polystyrene packaging ban, contains five key features including:

1. All takeout disposable foodware (e.g., plates, bowls, cups, trays) must be natural-fiber compostable (no bio plastics).
   1. Takeout foodware must be certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI).
   2. Takeout foodware accessories must be natural-fiber compostable and when only available “upon request” or at takeout station.
   3. Aluminum is allowed.
2. Reusable foodware and utensils must be used if a customer is dining in at a restaurant.
   1. Dine-in customers must be served on reusable foodware (e.g., plates, bowls, cups, trays) and utensils.
   2. Natural-fiber compostable accessories can be provided upon request.
   3. Enforcement to be phased in.
3. A $0.25 charge for disposable cups.
   1. Exemptions available for Cal Fresh/SNAP and WIC customers.
4. Garbage, Recycling, and Organics bins must be in front and back of house with graphic-rich signage.
   1. Allows customers and employees to properly sort waste.
   2. Requirement of State Laws (AB 341, AB 1826, SB 1383).
5. Natural-fiber compostable straws and other foodware accessories may be available upon request.

This ordinance will apply to all entities selling prepared food to the public in the County, including restaurants, grocery stores and delis, bakeries, carry-out, quick services, farmers markets, food trucks, and any other business with a health permit.

In November 2021, the Environmental Health Services division of the Marin County Community Development Agency (CDA) offered Resident and Food Vendor surveys about the County of Marin’s consideration of a ban on single-use plastic food service products at retail businesses. Surveys were provided in both English and Spanish.

338 residents from both unincorporated and incorporated Marin County responded to the Resident survey. The results of the survey showed that:

• 95% of respondents are in favor of reducing plastic materials from going to landfill
• 91% of respondents are in favor of requiring food vendors to use foodware that is reusable or compostable
• 90% of respondents support a "reusables for dine-in" requirement
• 79% of respondents support a County-wide cup charge

97 food vendors from both unincorporated and incorporated Marin County responded to the Food Vendor survey. The results of the survey showed that:

• Vendors are mostly concerned with cost, supply, and customer behavior change
• Vendors see the biggest benefits of this ordinance as less landfilled waste, reduced waste overall, and having more sustainable options for customers
• Over 50% of businesses support a $0.25 cup charge
• 68% of respondents do not think it would be difficult to switch to all reusables for dine-in (of which 18% would want help from the County or cities)

Reusable Foodware Ordinance: Virtual Business Workshop

The County hosted a virtual workshop on September 15, 2021, open to all food vendors in the County of Marin to discuss the features of the Reusable Foodware Ordinance. The purpose of the workshop was to seek feedback to meet the needs and concerns of the business community while responding to the public’s call to reduce plastic and disposable waste.

Workshop Presentation

Reusable Foodware Ordinance: Public Workshop

The County held a virtual meeting on July 14, 2021 for all residents to discuss the features of the Reusable Foodware Ordinance, including establishing regulations requiring the use of reusable and compostable foodware materials (e.g., plates, bowls, cups, utensils, and trays) at restaurants, grocery stores and delis, bakeries, carry-out, minimarts, farmers markets, food trucks, and more. The County requested feedback from its residents and businesses and plans to bring the ordinance to the Board of Supervisors for adoption no earlier than Fall 2021.

Workshop Presentation

Previous Meetings

Environmental Health Services hosted stakeholder meetings in November and December of 2019 while working on a draft ordinance.

If you are interested in updates on the project and/or would like to receive invitations to the community meetings, please subscribe at the top of the page.

Town of San Anselmo - Single Use Foodware

Zero Waste Marin Compostable Serviceware Product Guide

Marin County Suggested Foodware and Foodware Accessory Materials Alternatives