Marin County Municipal Code Ch. 7.25 Reusable Foodware Ordinance

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 3763, adopted May 10, 2022, repealed ch. 7.25, §§ 7.25.010—7.25.060 and enacted a new ch. 7.25 as set out herein. Former ch. 7.25 pertained to use of polystyrene and compostable disposable food packaging derived from Ord. No. 3531, § 1, adopted 2009.

(a) "BPI certified" means those compostable fiber foodware products that have been certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) to safely and readily biodegrade in an industrial composting facility in the typical processing time. As of January 1, 2020, BPI ensures all certified products are fluorinated chemical free.

(b) "Compliant non-reusable foodware" means that an item or product intended for disposal after one use and is: (1) accepted by the county through its composting collection program as compostable as identified by the deputy director of environmental health services or their designee; (2) is certified by either BPI certified or other third party product certification recognized by the county through its deputy director of environmental health services or their designee to ensure the item is free of harmful chemicals including, but not limited to, fluorinated chemicals, that may have been used in foodware manufacture, and is (3) made entirely of natural fiber, as defined that term is below, and including, but not limited to, paper, wood, or sugarcane fibers.

(c) "Compliant foodware accessory" means that an item or material is (1) accepted in county composting collection program as compostable; and is (2) made entirely of natural fiber.

(d) "Compost facility" means compost facilities used by the county's current waste haulers for composting organic material.

(e) "Compostable" means an item or material (1) will break down, or otherwise become part of usable compost in a safe and timely manner and (2) is natural fiber-based or made from other materials approved by the deputy director of environmental health services or designee.

(f) "Compostable plastics or biodegradable plastics" means the disposable products developed from polylactic acid (PLA), which require a specific set of conditions to compost and/or biodegrade that do not exist in the county or the region. These products are considered non-compliant.

(g) "County" means the County of Marin.

(h) "County facility" means any building or structure owned, leased, or operated by the County of Marin.

(i) "Customer" means any person obtaining prepared food from a food vendor.

(j) "Director" means the deputy director of environmental health services or their designee.

(k) "Disposable (or non-reusable) cup" means a beverage cup designed for single-use to serve beverages such as water, hot and cold drinks, and alcoholic beverages.

(l) "Effective date" means June 9, 2022.

(m) "EPS" means expanded polystyrene, also known as polystyrene foam.

(n) "Fluorinated chemical" means a class of fluorinated organic compounds containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom, also known as perfluoroalkyl (PFOA) and polyfluoroalkyl (PFOS) substances, or PFAS chemicals. California Prop 65 lists PFOA and PFOS as reproductive toxicants.

(o) "Foodware" means all containers, bowls, plates, food trays, cups, lids, boxes, and other like items that are used for prepared foods, including without limitation, foodware for takeout foods and/or leftovers from partially consumed meals prepared by food vendors.

(p) "Foodware accessories" means types of items usually provided alongside prepared food including, but not limited to, forks, spoons, knives, chopsticks, napkins, cup sleeves, food wrappers, beverage trays, condiment containers, straws, stirrers, splash sticks, cocktail sticks, toothpicks, tray-liners, and plate-liners.

(q) "Food vendor" means all vendors as described in the California Retail Food Code section 113789. This includes but is not limited to a: restaurant, bar, grocery store, delicatessen, bakery, food service establishment (carry out, quick service, full-service), public and private schools, food truck, itinerant restaurants, pushcart, farmers market, caterer, microenterprise home kitchen operations, cottage food operations, selling prepared food to be consumed on and off the premises located or operating within the county.

(r) "Natural fiber" means a plant-based, non-synthetic fiber, including, but not limited to, paper, wood, bamboo, palm leaf, wheat straw, or sugarcane. Natural fiber does not include plastic of any kind.

(s) "On request" means that only at the request of a customer shall the compliant product be provided.

(t) "Polystyrene foam" means and includes blown polystyrene and expanded and extruded foams (sometimes incorrectly called styrofoam, a Dow Chemical Co. trademarked form of polystyrene foam insulation) which are thermoplastic petrochemical materials utilizing a styrene monomer and processed by any number of techniques including, but not limited to, fusion of polymer spheres (expandable bead polystyrene), injection molding, foam molding, and extrusion-blow molding (extruded foam polystyrene). Polystyrene foam is generally used to make cups, bowls, plates, trays, clamshell containers, meat trays, coolers, packing peanuts, and egg cartons.

(u) "Prepared food" means food or beverages, which are served, packaged, cooked, chopped, sliced, mixed, brewed, frozen, squeezed or otherwise prepared on the premises of the food vendor and includes takeout food. For the purposes of this chapter, prepared food does not include raw, butchered meats, fish and/or poultry, which are sold from a butcher case or similar appliance.

(v) "Reusable or durable" Foodware and foodware accessories, including plates, bowls, cups, jars, trays, glasses, straws, stirrers, condiment cups, utensils, etc. that are manufactured of durable materials and specifically designed and manufactured to be washed and sanitized and to be used repeatedly over an extended period of time, and are safe for washing and sanitizing according to applicable regulations.

(w) "Takeout food" means food or beverages requiring no further preparation to be consumed and which generally are purchased to be consumed off the premises of the food vendor.

(Ord. No 3763, § II, 2022)

Food vendors within the unincorporated areas as well as participating jurisdictions in the county:

(a) Shall sell or provide food and beverages for consumption on the premises using reusable foodware and utensils (forks, spoons, knives, chopsticks) except as otherwise provided in Section 7.25.030(b);

(b) May provide all other compliant foodware accessories, which are made of natural fibers, including napkins, food wrappers, straws, stirrers, cocktail sticks, toothpicks, tray-liners, and plate-liners;

(c) Shall offer condiments in reusable containers or dispensers rather than pre-packaged single-use condiment packets; and

(d) Food vendors will have eighteen months following the adoption date before enforcement of this regulation begins.

(Ord. No 3763, § II, 2022)

Food vendors within the unincorporated areas as well as participating jurisdictions in the county selling takeout food for consumption off premises:

(a) Shall provide takeout food in reusable foodware, or compostable natural fiber compliant foodware, or items composed entirely of glass or aluminum;

(b) Shall provide all other compliant foodware accessories, which are made from natural fibers, including napkins, cup sleeves, beverage trays, condiment containers, straws, stirrers, splash sticks, cocktail sticks, and toothpicks only upon request or at self-serve stations; and

(c) Takeout food bags shall be reusable, paper, or comply with Chapter 5.46 (Regulations for Single-Use Carry-Out Bags).

(d) Takeout food delivery services shall provide the option for compliant foodware accessories (forks, spoons, knives, chopsticks) and single-use condiments only on request. A food vendor or a takeout food delivery service may include lids, spill plugs, and sleeves without request for non-reusable cups for delivery.

(e) Food vendors shall provide plastic straws only on request, to accommodate any person's access needs.

(Ord. No 3763, § II, 2022)

The following regulations apply to county purchases, facilities, and county-sponsored events:

(a) All county facilities that involve food service shall use reusable foodware and compliant foodware accessories.

(b) County-managed concessions, county-sponsored events, and county-permitted events shall use reusable foodware or compliant foodware and compliant foodware accessories.

(c) These entities are prohibited from using non-reusable plastic foodware, including EPS/polystyrene foam, and compostable or biodegradable plastics. No county department shall purchase or acquire non-reusable plastic foodware for use at any county facility. Organizations or individuals using county facilities shall use reusable or compliant foodware and compliant foodware accessories.

(d) The county shall prohibit the use of EPS/polystyrene foam and non-reusable plastic foodware by vendors, franchisees, lessees, contractors, or other commercial food and beverage purveyors at all county government center facilities, and county parks. Prohibited products include, but are not limited to, EPS/polystyrene foam and non-reusable plastic food containers, straws, bowls, plates, trays, utensils, clamshells, and cups which are not intended for reuse, on or in which any foods or beverages are placed or packaged.

(e) As of the effective date, all county departments that hold contracts, lease agreements, permits or other agreements that involve food service shall incorporate this prohibition into all new and renewed contracts, leases, permits, agreements, etc.

(f) The use or distribution of EPS/polystyrene foam, and non-reusable plastic foodware at special events at county facilities that are sponsored or co-sponsored by the county shall be prohibited. This prohibition shall apply to the event organizers, agents of the event organizers, event vendors, and any other party (including non-profit organizations) who have an agreement with one or more of the co-sponsors of the event to sell goods or beverages at the event or otherwise provide an event-related service.

(g) Written agreements with any vendor, including non-profit organizations, to sell food or beverages at an event that is sponsored or co-sponsored by the county, shall specifically prohibit the usage and distribution of EPS/polystyrene foam and non-reusable plastic foodware.

(Ord. No 3763, § II, 2022)

(a) All food vendors shall charge customers twenty-five cents at the point of sale for every non-reusable cup provided unless they are exempt under this chapter.

(b) Income from the non-reusable cup charge shall be retained by the food vendor.

(c) Charges for non-reusable cups shall be identified separately on any post-sale receipt provided and, pre-sale, shall be clearly identified for the customer on media such as menus, ordering platforms, and/or menu boards. Customers placing orders by telephone shall be informed verbally of non-reusable cup charges.

(d) All customers demonstrating, at the point of sale, a payment card or voucher issued by the California Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with section 123275) of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 106 of the California Health and Safety Code and as amended, or an electronic benefit transfer card (EBT) issued pursuant to section 10072 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code, and individuals with disabilities shall be exempt from the non-reusable cup charge.

(Ord. No 3763, § II, 2022)

(a) All food vendors who provide solid waste containers for customer use, must provide separate receptacles for solid waste, recyclables, and organics. Receptacles shall be colored black or grey for garbage, blue for recycling, and green for compost/organics.

(b) To the extent possible given space constraints, all receptacles for solid waste, recyclables, and organics should be placed adjacent to one another.

(c) Graphic-rich signage must be posted on or above each receptacle following the waste hauler's guidelines.

(Ord. No 3763, § II, 2022)

(a) Entities packaging prepared foods outside the county are exempt from the provisions of this chapter; provided, however, such entities are urged to follow the provisions of this chapter.

(b) Non-reusable foodware and foodware accessories composed entirely of aluminum is exempt from the provisions of this chapter.

(c) Should foodware or foodware accessories made of compliant compostable natural fiber not be commercially available, as determined by director or their designee, the county may approve temporary exemption of specific non-reusable foodware or foodware accessories items until they are made commercially available. The county shall maintain a list, updated annually, with foodware or foodware accessories deemed not available commercially.

(d) For the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety due to an emergency or natural disaster, the board of supervisors, or designee, may exempt food vendors, persons operating county facilities and agents, contractors, and vendors doing business with the county, from the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No 3763, § II, 2022)

(a) Compliance with this ordinance is required as of the effective date.

(b) Enforcement of this chapter shall be pursuant to Marin County Code sections 7.24.030 through 7.24.070, inclusive.

(c) Enforcement shall include written notice of non-compliance and a reasonable opportunity to correct, prior to issuance of any penalty.

(d) Enforcement of this chapter for the unincorporated county and cities and town within the county that have adopted the reusable foodware ordinance within twelve months of the adoption date, without modification, will begin eighteen months after the adoption date. A one-time enforcement fee will be assessed on all jurisdictions for which the county will enforce on behalf of. For jurisdictions that adopt the reusable foodware ordinance within twelve months of the adoption date, without modification, the county will waive the enforcement fee. Jurisdictions may adopt the reusable foodware ordinance after twelve months from the adoption date and designate enforcement to the county after payment of the enforcement fee. Enforcement will be the responsibility of the county's environmental health services. Enforcement will progress on the regular inspection schedule of all covered food vendors in the county as described in this chapter, unless a jurisdiction elects to pursue its own foodware enforcement policy with its local jurisdiction staff.

(Ord. No 3763, § II, 2022)

The county may choose to undertake the following legal actions to correct and/or abate nuisances and violations of this ordinance. The director of environmental health services or their designee is authorized to promulgate regulations and take any and all other actions reasonable and necessary to enforce the provisions of this article, including, but not limited to, entering the premises of any food provider during regular business hours to verify compliance, and by the issuance of administrative citations. The remedies and penalties provided by this article are cumulative and in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity.

(a) Administrative citations. Administrative citations may be issued for violations of this chapter at the discretion of the director. The issuance of an administrative citation under this chapter shall not supersede or limit the remedies provided elsewhere in this Code or California law, including other administrative citation remedies. Issuance of an administrative citation may be exercised in place of, but shall not be considered a waiver of, the use of any other available enforcement remedy.

(b) Process and service of citation.

1. Prior to issuance of citation penalty, the county shall issue a violation warning letter to the facility operator and provide the facility operator thirty days to correct the violation(s).

2. The violation warning letter and/or citation shall be mailed to the food facility operator named in the facility's permit.

3. The failure of any interested person to receive the violation warning letter and/or citation shall not affect the validity of the proceedings.

(c) Administrative citation penalty schedule. Following the violation warning letter described in Section 7.25.090(b)(1) above and thirty day cure period, if the violations remains, the county may issue the following administrative penalties:

1. A fine not exceeding one hundred dollars for the first violation;

2. A fine not exceeding two hundred dollars for a second violation of the same Code provision within one year; and

3. A fine not exceeding five hundred dollars for each additional violation in excess of two, of the same Code provision within one year.

(d) Response to citation penalty. Following receipt of citation penalty, food facility operator shall have thirty days to pay the fine as indicated on the citation, or to request a waiver of payment of the penalty due to unique undue hardship.

This waiver may be granted by the director upon demonstration by a food facility operator to the satisfaction of the director that strict application of the requirements would cause undue hardship. An "undue hardship" includes but is not limited to the following: 1. A situation unique to the food facility where a suitable alternative that conforms with the requirements of this chapter does not exist for a specific application. 2. Imposing the provisions of this chapter would cause significant economic hardship. "Significant economic hardship" may be based on, but not limited to, demonstrating that suitable foodware or foodware accessories made of compliant compostable natural fiber is not available at a commercially reasonable price and the additional cost associated with providing the compliant foodware or foodware is particularly burdensome to the food facility based on the type of operation(s) affected, the overall size of the business/operation, the number, type and location of its facilities, the impact on the overall financial resources of the food facility, and other factors. Reasonable added cost for a suitable item as compared to a similar item that the food facility can no longer use shall not by itself constitute adequate grounds to support an exemption for such item. In determining whether a significant economic hardship has been established, the director or designee shall consider the following information: ability of the food facility to recover the additional expense by increasing its prices; the availability of tax credits and deductions; outside funding; and other options.

(e) Nonpayment of citation for more than one year deemed nuisance. Nonpayment of any assessed violation for longer than one year shall constitute a nuisance and be subject to the nuisance abatement procedures in Marin County Code Chapter 1.05, including payment of civil penalties of up to two thousand five hundred dollars per violation per day and enforcement and other abatement costs incurred by the county.

(Ord. No 3763, § II, 2022)