Check out our downloadable toolkit and outreach materials. It includes flyers, graphics, social media and more to help people understand and communicate the law's new requirements.
Beginning in 2022, businesses can no longer automatically include single-use items in customer orders. Fork And Spoon Disposable
Takeout, delivery, and casual dining typically come with single-use disposable serviceware often made of plastic. These knives, forks, spoons, cocktail picks, chopsticks, stirrers, condiment packets, beverage cup lids, and straws quickly add up. In fact, we use nearly one trillion disposable food service products each year in the United States.
To address the cost of this waste, starting in 2022, customers will have to verbally confirm that they want single-use items, or they must select items from self-service bins instead of having them automatically included with a food order. Single-use food and drink items included in this new law include plastic utensils, straws, condiment packages, and cup lids for cold beverages.
Dependence on single-use items comes with numerous direct and indirect costs:
We are also addressing PFAS in food packaging by assessing alternatives that could be used. Starting in 2023, we will restrict PFAS in wraps and liners, pizza boxes, trays, food boats, and plates. We're currently assessing other products for further restrictions. This includes products like flat serviceware such as trays, open-top containers like french fry cartons and food boats, closed-top containers like clamshells, bowls, and other products.
Learn more about PFAS in food packaging.
Businesses can offer customers single-use items before a customer requests them. But they may not automatically include single-use items in an order without verbal confirmation from the customer.
Businesses may provide single-use items in a self-serve bin or container where customers can choose what they need.
The single-use serviceware law does not apply to food service products provided to a patient, resident, or customer in any facility listed in the law, including: • Health care facilities or providers • Long-term care facilities • Hospice • Senior nutrition programs and nursing homes • Meals on Wheels • Services to individuals with developmental disabilities • State hospitals
Utensils may not be bundled or packaged in such a way that a customer is unable to take only the type of utensil desired without also taking a different type of utensil. Multiple items may not be wrapped together, like a fork, knife, and napkin wrapped in plastic film.
Business owners and the public now have access to an education and outreach toolkit we developed to help people better understand the new law's requirements. It's designed for accessibility and includes an informational flyer, graphics, a web banner, and a social media image for you to share. Check back here often because we are adding material regularly. In January 2022, the food serviceware toolkit will be available in 18 languages.
Recyclable Bamboo Knife Carolyn Bowie Waste reduction and recycling specialist, Western WA carolyn.bowie@ecy.wa.gov 425-698-3722