On March 14, 2022, the Pacifica City Council adopted the San Mateo County Model Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance. The Ordinance, in compliance with California State Law, prohibits the use of non-compostable, disposable food service ware, and includes provisions on disposable food service ware distribution. These regulations became operational and enforcement began October 1, 2022. 

The Pacifica City Council adopted provisions above and beyond the San Mateo County Model Ordinance which will require food facilities to provide reusable foodware and utensils to dine-in customers. Regulations which mandate reusable food service ware for dine-in customers became operational and enforced on June 1, 2023.

The objectives of the Ordinance are to: 

• Reduce waste by eliminating disposable foodware that is not reusable or compostable and through source reduction;
• Improve the health and safety of community members; and
• Help keep our waterways clean and safe.

Who will this impact?

This Ordinance applies to restaurants, mobile food trucks, temporary food facilities (e.g., street fairs, festivals, etc.), farmers’ markets, catering operations, private schools, and other operations that operate within Pacifica and provide prepared food (a.k.a. ready-to-eat food and beverages) to the general public.

Key elements of the Ordinance include requiring:

• Most disposable foodware to be non-plastic and compostable;
• Larger disposable foodware to have little/no harmful fluorinated chemicals; and
• Regulated distribution of disposable foodware accessories.
• Distribution of reusable foodware and utensils for dine-in customers

• Reusable Foodware and utensils shall be provided to dine-in customers.

The Foodware Aware Team - the County’s Office of Sustainability and its consultants, Environmental Innovations, Inc. and ReThink Disposable of the Clean Water Fund - is here to help you in successfully making the operational transition to meet these new requirements. 

Free technical assistance is available for businesses that need assistance with compliance. Technical assistance is available by email at foodware@smcgov.org or by phone (888) 442-2666. 

• Online compliant form: https://www.smcsustainability.org/food-ware/complaint-form
• Email: foodware@smcgov.org
• Hotline: 888-442-2666