By Theresa Ryan
Sonoma Group Zero Waste Chair
The Ordinance to Prohibit Use and Sale of Disposable Food Service Ware and Other Products Containing Polystyrene Foam has been passed by Sonoma County and all Sonoma County jurisdictions, except for Rohnert Park. The ban includes limiting the use of non-recyclable or non-compostable disposable foodware and the use of products containing PFAS.
The county’s ban, which applies to the unincorporated area outside cities, is set to take effect at the start of 2022. It prohibits food and beverage providers including restaurants, food trucks and convenience stores from using single-use polystyrene products such as containers, plates and cups. Stores also will be required to stop selling those products.
Businesses have from September to January to replace the polystyrene products with alternatives.
More than 120 California jurisdictions, including Yountville, Arcata, Fort Bragg, Mendocino County and Ukiah, all in Redwood Chapter, have passed similar ordinances, which will help the state meet its 75 percent waste-reduction goal. Not only do alternatives for polystyrene exist, but it is a known toxin that contaminates watersheds and wildlife. Breakdown products of it are affecting human health as well.
The ban requires food establishments and vendors to cease distributing any products with polystyrene foam. That includes the foam peanuts for packaging and coolers. In addition, all disposable food containers that replace polystyrene must be compostable and recyclable. If customers want single-use straws, lids and utensils, they must request them.
One important amendment to the ordinance is the ban on any containers that have Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in them. This highly toxic fluorinated compound is part of a coating on container linings to make them heat and grease proof. PFAS or “forever chemicals” are linked to various health problems including reproductive health disruption. (https://theintercept.com/collections/bad-chemistry/)
The ordinance removed any mention of biodegradable containers, since that term has been used often as a means for greenwashing. Instead, the ordinance calls for compostable containers, which includes fiber- based materials that are acceptable at compost facilities. Some products say compostable, but they are not accepted at compost facilities because they contain PLA (polylactic acid, a manufactured plastic polymer). Organic agriculture farmers who use the compost cannot use these synthetic materials.
To promote the transition to reusable foodware, Zero Waste Sonoma is offering a $250 grant for businesses that are re-tooling in compliance with the ban. In addition, plasticfreerestaurants.org offers reimbursements to restaurants changing to reusables. Zero Waste Sonoma has multiple visual representations on its website of acceptable compostable containers as well as companies that consumers can access to obtain compostable containers.
Consumers can fill out a form posted on the ZWS website if they find a business that is not complying with the ban. ZWS will reach out to the business to provide education but will not be enforcing penalties at this time.
There are also exemption forms business owners can utilize to delay implementation if the ban imposes a hardship. The non compliance form on Zero Waste Website says that when they get the report they will be reaching out to educate and not enforcing any penalties at this time.
Any questions regarding the new ban can be addressed at zws-foodware @Sonoma-county.org or call 707-565-3375.