PUBLIC INFORMATION

The purpose of the County of San Mateo’s Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance is to:

REDUCE SINGLE-USE PLASTICS AND OTHER FOODWARE WASTE

Improve health and safety of our community members

KEEP OUR WATERWAYS CLEAN AND SAFE

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO BE PART OF THIS IMPORTANT EFFORT!

1. Understand what the new Ordinance requires with this Ordinance Summary (Spanish, Chinese translation).

2. Request disposable accessories like straws, stirrers, napkins, and condiment packets only when absolutely needed.

3. Take only what you really need at self-serve stations and dispensers.

4. Bring and use your own reusables (utensils, straws, to-go mugs, leftover containers, etc.) instead of single-use disposables.

5. Properly sort and dispose of foodware (check your local recycling and composting hauler/facility’s guidelines).

6. Make sure your favorite restaurants and other food facilities are in compliance with the Ordinance (let us know if they aren’t).

7. Send a letter to food facility owners/managers encouraging them to be plastic-free. View a template letter here.

8. Borrow a reusable cup from a cafe that’s participating in a takeaway reusable cup network in San Mateo County! Learn more.

Contact Us

Our Foodware Aware Program Team – the County’s Sustainability Department and Environmental Innovations, Inc. – are here to help you and other impacted food facilities successfully make the operational transition to meet the new requirements of the County’s Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance.

Please email foodware@smcgov.org or call 888-442-2666 to get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you.