Plastic, Litter, and Toxics Reduction Law

Attention San Francisco Retailers and Food & Beverage Vendors:

NEW LAW TAKES EFFECT ON JULY 1, 2019

The Single-Use Foodware Plastics, Toxics and Litter Reduction Ordinance will reduce plastic pollution by prohibiting the distribution of plastic straws, among other foodware accessories, and providing allowed accessories only upon request. The ordinance will also eliminate toxic fluorinated chemicals from foodware products.

RETAILERS

Plastic Foodware Requirements

Starting July 1, 2019, retailers must not sell the following single-use plastic foodware accessories:

Plastic beverage plugs
Plastic cocktail sticks
Plastic stirrers
Plastic toothpicks

Compostable Foodware Requirements

Starting January 1, 2020, straws made of natural fiber or paper and all other compostable foodware sold in San Francisco must be certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI). Examples of compostable foodware include:

Grease-resistant paper
Paper plates
To-go containers and straws made of paper or other natural fiber

Find compostable products that meet San Francisco’s requirements. (BPI website)

FOOD & BEVERAGE VENDORS

Plastic Straw Restrictions

Starting July 1, 2019, the law restricts the distribution of single-use plastic straws, including compostable plastic straws. Acceptable single-use straws (such as paper straws) can only be made available upon request. A single-use plastic straw may only be provided to a customer who specifically requests a plastic straw to accommodate a disability or medical need.

Acceptable straws include:

Single-use paper or other natural fiber straws
Reusable straws, such as glass, silicon, or metal
Single-use plastic straws are available upon request for people with disabilities or medical needs. Businesses should wait for a person to request a plastic straw before providing one.

Starting January 1, 2020, single-use straws made of natural fiber or paper and all other compostable foodware must be certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI). Compostable plastic straws (PLA) are prohibited by San Francisco’s law because they act like conventional plastic in our environment if littered.

Plastic Accessories Ban

Starting July 1, 2019, food & beverage vendors may no longer provide the following single-use plastic accessories:

Plastic beverage plugs
Plastic cocktail sticks
Plastic stirrers
Plastic toothpicks

Acceptable single-use alternatives include accessories made from natural fiber (such as paper, bamboo, wood, etc.) and may only be made available upon request or in a self-service area.

All Food and Beverage Accessories

Starting July 1, 2019, even acceptable single-use food and beverage accessories must not be included automatically in a customer’s order for dine-in, take-out or delivery. The following single-use food and beverage accessories may be made available only upon request or in a self-service area:

Beverage plugs
Chopsticks
Condiment packages and portion cups
Lids
Napkins
Sleeves
Stirrers
Utensils

Compostable Foodware Criteria

Starting January 1, 2020, straws made of natural fiber or paper and all other compostable foodware must be certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI). Examples of compostable foodware include: