What types of disposable food service ware does your food facility use? What do you think of a potential ordinance that regulates disposable food service ware?

Food facilities commonly rely on disposable food service ware (containers, cups, lids, utensils and straws) that are made of plastic. These items often contribute to street litter, pollution of waterways and endangerment of marine and other wildlife.  Plastic disposable food service ware is often used just for a few minutes before becoming waste that takes hundreds, if not thousands, of years to break down.  

Many cities across the region are adopting Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinances that ban plastic disposable food service ware and require food facilities to provide compostable and fiber-based products. Food facilities include entities with a valid health permit from the County of San Mateo that distribute food/beverages to the public. Examples include restaurants, mobile food trucks, farmers’ markets, catering operations, and private schools.  

The purpose of this survey is to assess what types of disposable food service ware is used in San Mateo food facilities. The City Council is exploring a possible ordinance and would like to understand the impacts if the City were to adopt one. This survey seeks to understand the barriers and challenges with the Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance for food facilities. More details about the Ordinance are provided in the survey. 

Your feedback will be presented at the October 14, 2020 Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission meeting. Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission meeting agendas can be found on the City's Prime Gov Portal.

If you do not represent a food facility but would like to provide a comment on disposable food service ware or the Ordinance, please email Andrea Chow at achow@cityofsanmateo.org.