Prince George’s County acts to reduce unnecessary single-use food service accessories
Are you frustrated with all of the unwanted single-use utensils, condiments, and other stuff thrown in your takeout, drive-through, and home delivery food orders? Sick of seeing plastic forks, straws, and condiment packets in the gutters and on the side of the road?
On October 24, 2022 the Prince George's County Council passed CB-14-2022, "Accessory Disposable Food Service Ware," to put a stop to this unnecessary waste! The bill will require food service businesses to provide straws, utensils, condiment cups and packets, cup sleeves, splash sticks, stirrers, and napkins only if requested by the customer or at a self-service dispenser. Businesses will to have to provide options for customers to request these items across all ordering platforms (digital, telephone, in-person, whether for on-site dining, takeout, or delivery, and on a third-party food-ordering platform). Following a public education campaign to businesses and customers, the bill will be enforced as of June 1, 2023.
By providing these items only to customers who ask for them, CB-14-2022 will reduce waste while cutting costs for businesses. It will reduce contamination of the recycling stream by removing items that can’t be recycled. It will reduce litter that pollutes the Anacostia River and other waterways. The bill is strongly consistent with a law already in effect in Washington, D.C., an advantage for education programs, customers, businesses, and enforcement in both jurisdictions.
More Information:
Sierra Club Testimony on CB-14-2022