Sustainability News & Information
FOODWARE AWARE PROGRAM
The County of San Mateo’s (County) Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance (Ordinance) was adopted by the County’s Board of Supervisors on February 25, 2020. This new law regulates and reduces disposable food service ware made of plastic and other foodware waste. The County’s website: https://www.smcsustainability.org/food-ware
PLEASE REMEMBER:
- Reusable is the BEST option.
Dishware you keep, wash, and reuse saves money and the planet.
- Compostable fiber-based items are compliant.
Paper and paper-like items like wood and sugarcane can break down into usable compost.
- Plastic and “compostable” plastic are NOT allowed.
Single-use plastic items are rapidly polluting our oceans, and many will no longer be permitted in Atherton. That includes “compostable” plastics (a.k.a. bioplastics, PLA, etc.).
- Accessories only by request.
Single-use accessories must be distributed unbundled (i.e., separate individual forks, napkins, condiments, straws, etc.) and upon request only by the consumer and/or at dispensers that dispense one item at a time.
If you have questions, please contact the Foodware Aware Program Team: