Richmond's Food Ware Ordinance

Food Ware Ordinance

Food Ware Ordinance


State Laws:
  • California Assembly Bill (AB) 1884 bans the sale and use of plastic straws and stirrers in retail, food, and lodging establishments. Non-plastic alternatives can be provided only if the customer requests them.
  • In January 2022, Assembly Bill 1276 was created as an extension of AB 1884, mandating all food retailers and platforms to provide single-use foodware accessories and condiments only upon request, excluding drive-throughs. This includes: single-use utensils, straws, chopsticks, stirrers, and condiment cups and packets, especially made from bioplastics, compostable plastic, bamboo, and paper. 

More information about can be found at:

Related Laws:


Richmond Municipal Code Effective: 
  • Food Providers, Retail Establishments, and Transient Lodging Establishments (ex: hotels, motels) cannot use, sell or distribute plastic straws and stirrers.
  • Food Providers can provided non-plastic alternative straws and stirrers to customer upon request only.
  • All Food Providers using disposable food ware to provide prepared food to customers must use disposable food ware that is either recyclable or compostable. Reusable food ware is encouraged when possible.
  • Retail Establishments (ex: grocery stores, hardware stores, markets, etc) cannot sell or rent products comprised entirely or primarily of polystyrene foam (Styrofoam).
  • Food Providers must use disposable food ware (ex: to-go containers, cups, bowls, plates, etc) that is recyclable or compostable. Reusable food ware encouraged when possible. 
  • A Food Provider (ex: cafes, restaurants, food trucks, etc) may charge a "take out fee" to customers to cover the cost difference.


Litter such as straws, utensils, and cups, that are not reusable or fiber-compostable create tons of avoidable trash. It negatively impacts our natural and marine environment both locally and globally. The ordinance helps keep polystyrene foam and small plastics out of the streets, storm drains, and bodies of water.

City Council Documents

Contact Us

  1. Samantha Carr

    Environmental Manager
    Email Samantha Carr
    More Information

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Paper straws
  1. FOOD WARE ORDINANCE GUIDE: ENGLISH
  2. FOOD WARE ORDINANCE GUIDE: SPANISH
  3. STRAW DISTRIBUTOR LIST
  4. RECYCLE AND COMPOST GUIDES
  5. RICHMOND'S REVOLVING LOAN FUND
Richmond's Food Ware Ordinance

Notices

Postcard notices were mailed out to Richmond Business in the beginning of October. Not all businesses that received the postcard will need to comply with the ordinance. Please review the Food Ware Ordinance for further details. 


 Postcard notices have been sent to businesses listed under the following business license types: 

 Airbnb: Vacation Rentals  Fabricator                         
 Meat Market                
 Bakery Food Truck
 Mini Mart
 Bars Food Vendor
 Miscellaneous
 Bingo Hall Gas Station
 Nonprofit Org
 Bingo/Norg Gas/Mini Mart
 Peddler/solicitor
 Bowling Alley
 Gift Shop
 Pharmacy
 Business Services
 Governmental Agency
 Produce
 Cafe
 Gratuitous
 Restaurant
 Carnival/Circus
 Grocery Store
 Restaurant/Bar
 Catering Service
 Health Food Store
 Retail
 Catering Truck
 Holistic
 Specialty Shop
 Coffee Shop
 Home Based
 Vending Service
 Delicatessen
 Hospital
 Warehouse
 Department Store
 Hotel
 Wholesale
 Distributor
 Liquor Store
 
 Donut Shop
 Manufacture
 
Postcard front edited
Postcard Back