LA County’s Plastic Waste Ban: A Green Leap Forward
Los Angeles County is taking action to reduce plastic waste and address litter in our communities and waterways. In April 2022, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed the Reduction of Waste from Single-Use Articles and Expanded Polystyrene Products Ordinance. This ordinance is applicable to food facilities and retail establishments within County unincorporated areas, including food facilities located within County facilities.
Under the ordinance, full-service restaurants are mandated to utilize reusable food ware for dine-in customers. Additionally, online food ordering platforms must offer customers the choice to opt-in for any single-use accessories provided by the food establishment. in In unincorporated areas food facilities such as restaurants, cafeterias, and food trucks are prohibited from offering single-use foodware accessories to customers unless specifically requested.
The ordinance also requires that single-use articles provided to customers by food facilities for ready-to-eat food must be either compostable or recyclable. Additionally, the sale of products crafted from expanded polystyrene, commonly known as “StyrofoamTM,” is banned under the ordinance. These measures represent a significant stride towards promoting sustainability and reducing environmental impact in Los Angeles County. For more information visit the Reduction of Waste from Single-Use Articles and Expanded Polystyrene Products Ordinance webpage.
