The Good News.
Almost ALL current California foodware policies include reuse for onsite dining.
Pacifica, Cupertino and Marin County passed mandatory dine-in reuse policies in 2022!
Other cities in the region are currently drafting or have introduced reuse policies.
Reuse Is a Win-Win for all
Moving away from disposables to reusable containers saves restaurants money on expensive single-use items and on waste management. On average, restaurants will save $5,000 per year with onsite dining!
Reuse startups, like Dispatch Goods, create jobs by providing reusable to-go cups and containers to restaurants for takeout and food delivery.
And because we pay with our taxes to clean up our region's single-use plastics on our beaches and streets, we will in turn have less waste to haul and sort, saving us all money.
Success!
Half Moon Bay
In December 2022, Half Moon Bay updated their foodware ordinance to require reusables for on-site dining. Now both coastside cities, Pacifica and Half Moon Bay, use identical language that provides clear instructions for restaurants to comply with what is required for onsite dining.
Thanks to all the coalition partners for our collective support letter, the individual support letters, and the public comments. The City Council particularly thanked the high school students for speaking up, saying they are the stewards of our future.
Redwood City
In October 2022, Redwood City passed their foodware ordinance. The ordinance was not amended to include mandatory or suggested reuse language; local restaurants opposed mandates that might add another burden to already struggling businesses.
City staff is currently working on a Foodware Assistance Program to help restaurants purchase reusable foodware or dishwashing facilities. This program will be in addition to the Technical Assistance and financial support already provided by the County of San Mateo. The ordance will be reviewed in the future to assess the success of the voluntary conversion to reusables for dine-in.
Pacifica
In 2022, Pacifica passed their foodware ordinance mandating reusable foodware for dining in! Thanks to all coalition partners for our collective support letter, the 55 people that sent in individual support letters, and the 13 public comments at the City Council meeting. It was a nail-biter of a meeting, but we won with another unanimous vote!
Daly City
In 2021, Daly City included a dine-in reuse amendment to their foodware ordinance on the basis of our cost & waste analysis of the benefits of reusable foodware. We are grateful to the Daly City staff, Small Business Commission, and City Council for listening to Reusable San Mateo County public comments and reading our report. We appreciate the city’s inclusion of our cost and waste benefit analysis and acknowledgement of our advocacy efforts in the city staff report!
This is where you come in.
Join Us: Help Normalize Reuse
Restaurants: Choose to Reuse