Los Angeles' "Plastic Restriction Order" is in effect, and food containers, tableware, etc. provided by restaurants must be compostable or recyclable
On May 1, the Los Angeles County Waste Reduction Ordinance for Disposable Products and Expanded Polystyrene Products came into effect. Strengthen sustainable development efforts.
This ordinance applies to food establishments and retail establishments located within unincorporated areas of the County, and food establishments located within County establishments.
Current regulations:
Full-service restaurants are required to provide multi-serve utensils (i.e., reusable utensils) for dine-in customers.
Restaurants, cafeterias, food trucks, and other food establishments located in unincorporated areas are prohibited from providing single-use cutlery accessories (such as straws, forks, condiment packets, napkins, etc.) to customers unless requested by customers.
Require online food ordering businesses to offer a selection of disposable cutlery accessories on their platforms so customers can choose which accessories, if any, they want to pack with their order.
From May 1, 2023, the following measures will be implemented in phases:
Requires food establishments to provide customers with single-use items such as food containers, cups, plates, and cutlery accessories that are either compostable or recyclable.
Products made of expanded polystyrene (also known as "Styrofoam"), such as coolers, packaging materials, single-use items (such as cups, plates, and similar items), and pool toys, are prohibited for retail sale unless they are Packed with durable material.
Over the next two years, Los Angeles County will implement phased enforcement targeting different vendors.
Restaurants in fixed locations will have one year to meet the standards, food trucks will have 18 months, and temporary food suppliers such as farmers markets or community event organizers will have two years.
Exemptions include street vendors and restaurants who can demonstrate financial hardship or are unable to safely supply food in other packaging.
The ordinance's goal is to phase out single-use plastics while working with restaurants to make the transition happen naturally.
"After the first year of implementation of this ordinance, the County will evaluate whether additional measures are needed to support businesses in reducing single-use waste," Los Angeles County officials said.
Violations could result in fines of $100 per day, up to $1,000 per year, officials said.
