正式通知：新法將於 2019 年 7 月 1 日生效

Plastic straw restrictions

This law restricts the distribution of single-use plastic straws, including compostable plastic straws. Acceptable single-use straws (such as paper straws) can only be made available upon request. A single-use plastic straw may only be provided to a customer who specifically requests a plastic straw to accommodate a disability or medical need. 

Acceptable straws include: 

• Single-use paper or other natural fiber straws
• Reusable straws, such as glass, silicon, or metal
• Single-use plastic straws are available upon request for people with disabilities or medical needs. Businesses should wait for a person to request a plastic straw before providing one.

As of January 1, 2020, single-use straws made of natural fiber or paper and all other compostable foodware must be certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) or TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium. Compostable plastic straws (PLA) are prohibited by San Francisco’s law because they act like conventional plastic in our environment if littered.
 

Plastic accessories ban

Starting July 1, 2019, food and beverage vendors may no longer provide the following single-use plastic accessories:

• Plastic beverage plugs
• Plastic cocktail sticks
• Plastic stirrers
• Plastic toothpicks

Acceptable single-use alternatives include accessories made from natural fiber, such as paper, bamboo, or wood. These alternatives may only be made available upon request or in a self-service area.

All food and beverage accessories

Since July 1, 2019, even acceptable single-use food and beverage accessories must not be included automatically in a customer’s order for dine-in, take-out or delivery. The following single-use food and beverage accessories may be made available only upon request or in a self-service area:

• Beverage plugs
• Chopsticks
• Condiment packages and portion cups
• Lids
• Napkins
• Sleeves
• Stirrers
• Utensils

Compostable foodware criteria 

Since January 1, 2020, straws made of natural fiber or paper, and all other compostable foodware, must be certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) or TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium. Examples of compostable foodware include:

• Grease resistant paper
• Paper plates
• To-go containers and straws made of paper or other natural fiber

Visit the BPI or TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium websites to learn more about certified compostable foodware. You can also look for these logos on foodware products. 
 

The following single-use foodware accessories, when made entirely of natural fiber, like paper or wood, do not need to be certified:

• Cocktail sticks
• Napkins
• Splash sticks
• Stirrers
• Toothpicks
• Utensils

How to meet the requirement

Event producers must do at least one of the following:

1. Provide, lend, or sell reusable beverage cups to event attendees.
2. Promote or incentivize attendees to bring their own reusable beverage cup.

Sign up for the Zero Waste events workshop

The Environment Department provides resources and technical assistance to event producers to meet Zero Waste requirements. Learn more about the plastic and litter reduction law and the waste prevention and recycling resources available to you. 

Contact us at [email protected] to be alerted of the next scheduled Zero Waste Events Workshop.

Background on the Ordinance

As of July, 2019, the City and County of San Francisco passed the Single-Use Foodware Plastics, Toxics and Litter Reduction Ordinance (File No. 181004) to reduce plastic pollution and litter from single-use disposable items like straws and cups. The law requires event producers to:

• restrict the distribution of plastic straws and allow food and beverage accessories like lids, cutlery, and napkins to be provided only upon customer request or at a self-serve station; and
• promote or provide reusable beverage containers to at least 10 percent of attendees at events with more than 100 attendees on City property. 

Plastic foodware requirements 

Since July 1, 2019, retailers must not sell the following single-use plastic foodware accessories:

• Plastic beverage plugs
• Plastic cocktail sticks
• Plastic stirrers
• Plastic toothpicks

Compostable foodware requirements 

Since January 1, 2020, straws made of natural fiber or paper and all other compostable foodware sold in San Francisco must be certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) or TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium. Examples of compostable foodware include:

• Grease-resistant paper
• Paper plates
• To-go containers and straws made of paper or other natural fiber

Visit the BPI or TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium websites to learn more about certified compostable foodware. You can also look for these logos on foodware products. 
 

Placard for Retail Establishments ("Straws available upon request" - printable sign to post at your establishment) 

Letter Sent to Businesses (PDF) - In Spanish, Chinese, Filipino.

• Foodware Purchasing Guide (PDF)
• Plastic, Toxics, and Litter Reduction Ordinance (Legislation, PDF)
• SF Zero Waste policies compliance form

In the spring of 2025, SFE conducted a series of neighborhood clean ups across San Francisco to identify opportunities for waste reduction based on street litter found in popular commercial corridors. The SFE team worked with Refuse Refuse, Reusable SF, Surfrider SF, Russian Hill Neighborhoods, and ReThink Disposable to collect, sort, and audit litter in the Mission, North Beach, Russian Hill, and the Richmond District.  

Our insights: there is a prevalence of packaging waste that is often littered including take-out containers, plastic cups, wrappers, and thin film plastics.  

Additionally, two-thirds or more of the litter observed in the study could have been recycled or composted instead of being landfilled or worse, going down storm drains. Working towards a future with fewer single-use disposable products and packaging can achieve cleaner and more sustainable communities for all.

Read the case studies to learn more about SFE findings and recommendations: 

• Mission District Litter Report
• North Beach Litter Report
• Richmond Litter Report
• Russian Hill Litter Report