Reusable Foodware Ordinance
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Special Message
On March 22, 2023, a letter was received from Marin County waste hauler organizations in support of the countywide adoption of the Reusable Foodware Ordinance. An excerpt of the letter includes,
For the green bin for example, it is imperative that plastic lined paper and "compostable" plastics are not put into the green carts which are hauled to WM Earthcare in Novato. Having non-approved items in the material we send them can jeopardize our ability to continue hauling any compostable materials to this local facility. These standards ensure they can produce high quality compost certified for organic agriculture. This organic compost is used by local farmers who bring their food to our farmers markets, contributing to a circular economy.
Mill Valley Refuse Service, Marin Sanitary Service, and Recology
Read the full letter.

About the Project
On May 10, 2022, the Marin County Board of Supervisors adopted the Reusable Foodware Ordinance. NOTE: ENFORCEMENT WILL NOT BEGIN UNTIL NOVEMBER 10, 2023.
The Ordinance uses the hierarchy of: reusables are best, compostable fiber foodware is compliant, and single-use plastics are prohibited. Reducing the amount of disposable items we consume not only is better for the environment, it reduces the amount of litter in the community and lowers the amount of greenhouse gas inputs used to produce the disposable product in the first place.

As of November 2022, the ordinance applies only to food facility operators in the unincorporated portions of the County and Tiburon. Jurisdiction participation in the County Environmental Health Services (EHS) Reusable Foodware Ordinance implementation and enforcement program is encouraged but completely voluntary. If a Marin jurisdiction would like to participate in the County's program, they must adopt the County's model ordinance with no modifications.
A jurisdiction can pass the ordinance and request the County to enforce on its behalf at any time, however there is an on-boarding fee (based on the number of food facilities in the jurisdiction) required for enrolling the jurisdiction. If a city/town adopts the ordinances and enforcement MOU by May 10, 2023, the on-boarding fee will be waived. Enforcement (by the County's EHS) will begin for all participating jurisdictions on November 10, 2023.
Jurisdictions may contact foodware@marincounty.org with questions and for a pre-review of a draft ordinance.
The following table shows each Marin jurisdiction's current adoption status of the ordinance.