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Board unanimously OKs ban on many single‑use plastic food service items; businesses can provide straws on request
Summary
The Board adopted an environment code change banning many single‑use plastic food service items and requiring straws and certain accessories be provided only upon request; the measure includes exemptions for medical needs and provisions for outreach to small businesses.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an ordinance July 31 that prohibits the sale or use of certain single‑use food service ware made with fluorinated chemicals and various items made with plastic, requires that many food service accessories — including straws — be provided only on request, and requires reusable beverage cups at certain city‑permitted events.
Supervisor Catherine Tang, a sponsor of the ordinance, said the measure will reduce plastic pollution and noted that many local businesses and attractions have already begun to reduce plastic use. Tang highlighted a partnership with Pier 39 and the Aquarium of the Bay, which had launched a “Skip the Straw” campaign and were showing the documentary Straws and hosting educational exhibits to inform visitors.
Pier 39 representatives told the board that 14 of 24 beverage vendors at the attraction committed to switching entirely to paper straws or moving to an “on request” model. Aquarium of the Bay said it had created an exhibit on microplastics and was working with partners to educate visitors. Pier 39 and other merchants said public education and business outreach would be central to implementation.
The ordinance includes an explicit exemption for people who need straws for medical or disability reasons; Supervisor Tang said her office would amend language in a duplicated file to further clarify disability protections and exemptions during implementation. Tang and supporters emphasized outreach and technical assistance to small businesses so the law would be implemented without causing undue punitive enforcement.
The measure passed unanimously and, as with other city ordinances, will be implemented by the Department of the Environment with outreach and compliance plans.
What happens next: Department of the Environment will conduct outreach to businesses and begin implementation steps; community partners and businesses said they will continue education and pilot programs.
