Show All Answers

1. What is considered a single-use item?

Single-use items are defined as straws, utensils, stirrers and individually packaged condiments.

2. Is this a ban?

No. Retail food businesses are still able to have such items BUT they cannot be given to a customer without their consent. Customers must either explicitly ask for these items or must confirm they would like the items following an employee of the retail food business asking the customer.

3. Is this specific to plastic?

No. This ordinance restricts the dissemination of certain single-use items regardless of their material. These items are straws, utensils, stirrers and  individually packaged condiments.

4. May I still leave straws, utensil, stirrers and packaged condiments out for customers to take?

No. The ordinance requires that customers ask or consent to an employee request to provide these items.

5. What businesses does this cover?

Full service restaurants, limited service restaurants, fast food restaurants, food carts, bars, coffee and tea shops, grocery stores, convenience stores, hotels and motels, caterers, and food service contractors.               

6. What is the penalty for a business that does not comply?

A retail food business will be issued a written warning for the first violation in a calendar year, a $100 fine for the second violation in a calendar year, a $200 fine for the third violation in a calendar year, and a $500 fine for any subsequent violations within the same calendar year.