Politics & Government
Changes To Santa Cruz Environmentally Acceptable Food Packaging Ordinance Extended Until 2022
Upon the revised compliance date of March 8, 2022 the current Ordinance's definitions of "compostable" and "biodegradable" will be expanded.
March 9, 2021
SANTA CRUZ —Today the Santa Cruz City Council unanimously passed an extension to the compliance date for the 2020 update to the Environmentally Acceptable Food Packaging and Products Ordinance for one year. The extension factored in the impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on local businesses. The Ordinance intends to regulate and reduce the amount of disposable food service ware used by food facilities in the City of Santa Cruz.
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Upon the revised compliance date of March 8, 2022 the current Ordinance’s definitions of “compostable” and “biodegradable” will be expanded. From that date on, disposable food service ware must be fiber-based, and certified free of intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by the Biodegradable Products Institute or other third-party certification entity.
The extended Ordinance changes also require a 25-cent fee on hot and cold drinks sold in disposable cups and include an expansion of the “Upon Request” mandate for straws, utensils, condiments and other accessories across all ordering platforms including online and third party delivery apps like Grub Hub, Door Dash, etc.
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Furthermore, the Ordinance changes encourage businesses to offer a 25-cent credit to customers who bring in their own cup and/or container. The changes also encourage businesses to utilize durable/washable dishware and utensils whenever possible.
The City’s waste reduction team will continue to provide education and outreach on the specifics of amendments adopted in January 2020 while also enforcing the existing provisions restricting non-compostable and non-recyclable food-ware and the “Upon Request” mandate.
The updated Environmentally Acceptable Food Packaging and Products Ordinance can be accessed at www.cityofsantacruz.com/to-go-ware. Questions may be addressed to Waste Reduction Manager Leslie O’Malley at LOMalley@cityofsantacruz.com or (831) 420-5593.
This press release was produced by the City of Santa Cruz. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
