Foodware

These specifications establish a hierarchy of environmentally preferable foodware products as follows: 

1. Greenest: Durable reusable foodware made of stainless steel, aluminum, ceramics or glass; 
2. Greener: Reusable plastic foodware without bisphenol-A (BPA);
3. Green: Single-use foodware that is recyclable or compostable and complies with other environmental requirements.

Definitions: 
PFAS, or Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances (often referred to as PFCs): Fluorinated chemicals, often referred to as PFCs and PFASs are a category of compounds that includes long- and short-chain per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl compounds, fluorinated sulfonate compounds, and fluorinated polymers.

General Requirements For All Products:
Whenever possible, products that are reusable must be purchased.  Where this is not feasible, single-use food service materials should be made of paper, aluminum foil, or plant-based renewable materials as these products are easily distinguishable from other products as compostable or recyclable.  Single-use foodware purchased by the City shall not contain acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene, polyurethane (PU), PFAS, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).  No foodware products purchased by the City may be labelled as “biodegradable,” “oxy-degradable” or “degradable,” per California Public Code Section 42355(f). 

Starting July 1, 2019, these items are prohibited: straws, stirrers, splash sticks, cocktail sticks, toothpicks, or beverage plugs made with plastic including compostable, bio- or plant-based plastic.

Additional Requirements For Reusable Plastic Foodware:
Reusable plastic foodware must contain no bisphenol-A (BPA), be dishwasher safe, and have the highest available postconsumer waste content.

Additional Requirements For Compostable Products

Starting January 1, 2020, compostable foodware must be certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) except for napkins, stirrers, splash or cocktail sticks, toothpicks and utensils made entirely of natural fiber.

Additional Requirements For Compostable Plastic Products:
All plastic products claiming to be compostable must be certified compostable by BPI proving that the finished product meets ASTM standards D6400 or D6868 of compostability. Compostable plastic products must be clearly labelled “compostable” in green color or within a green band in order to distinguish the product from conventional plastic. Cutlery must be embossed with the word “compostable” on each piece.  

Additional Requirements For Compostable Or Recyclable Paper Products:
Compostable or recyclable foodware made from paper or other plant-based renewable materials must meet or exceed the following requirements:

• Soup containers: Minimum of 85% post-consumer recycled content
• Hot drink cups: PLA-Lined, maximum post-consumer recycled content preferred, with a minimum of 10% post-consumer recycled content
• Cup sleeves for hot drinks: Unbleached paper, minimum 100% post-consumer content
• Napkins: Unbleached napkins preferred, maximum post-consumer recycled content preferred, with a minimum of 10% post-consumer recycled content