LA County’s Ban on Single-Use Plastics in Restaurants: Transforming Waste, Embracing Sustainability
Los Angeles County leads with bold legislation to cut single-use plastics and polystyrene from eateries, setting a new benchmark for sustainability.
LA County Moves to Curb Single-Use Plastics in Restaurants
On May 1, 2023, Los Angeles County took a bold and unprecedented step to fight plastic pollution: a sweeping ban on single-use plastics and expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam—often referred to as “Styrofoam”—for restaurants and food facilities in all unincorporated areas. This comprehensive ordinance aims to overhaul the region’s food service industry by requiring eco-friendly, reusable, recyclable, or compostable alternatives, marking LA County as the largest municipality in the nation to enact such ambitious protections against plastic waste.
With an estimated one million residents in unincorporated Los Angeles County and countless visitors daily, the implications for both waste reduction and environmental health are profound. The Board of Supervisors, with widespread public support, passed the measure to unburden local landfills, protect wildlife, and reduce reliance on fossil fuel-derived plastics.
The Urgency: Why Single-Use Plastics Are Targeted
Plastics, especially single-use varieties, are notorious for persisting in the environment for hundreds of years. Discarded cutlery, takeout containers, and cups frequently end up as litter on streets, in waterways, and eventually in the Pacific Ocean, threatening marine ecosystems and contaminating food chains.
Nationally, Americans discard close to 100 million plastic utensils annually, yet only about 15% of single-use plastic items are recycled in California. Most recycling facilities cannot process foodware due to contamination and small size, so much of this plastic ends up in landfills or as litter. In Los Angeles, a cornerstone of the problem includes expanded polystyrene foam products, which are lightweight, break apart easily, and are commonly found in storm drains and along beaches.
- Harm to Wildlife: Animals ingest small plastic pieces or become entangled, leading to injury or death.
- Municipal Costs: Local governments spend hundreds of millions annually on waste management and litter cleanup.
- Public Health Threat: Toxic chemicals from plastics can leak into food or water or enter the ecosystem.
- Fossil Fuel Dependence: Most virgin plastic is made from non-renewable fossil fuels, fueling climate change.
Scope of the LA County Ordinance
The new ordinance—officially named the “Reduction of Waste from Single-Use Articles and Expanded Polystyrene Products”—is among the most comprehensive anti-plastic regulations in the United States. The rules affect a wide range of businesses, including restaurants, food trucks, bars, coffee shops, catering services, and special events.
What’s Banned and What’s Required?
| Material / Item | Status under Ordinance |
|---|---|
| Single-use plastic foodware (utensils, plates, straws, cups) | Must be compostable, recyclable, or reusable |
| Expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam food containers | Banned, except if encased in durable material (e.g., hard coolers) |
| Plastic peanuts, packing materials | Banned for sale/rental |
| Reusable foodware at dine-in | Mandatory for full-service restaurants |
| Single-use plastic pool toys, coolers, etc. | Banned unless in durable casing |
What others are reading
Also, for an item to be considered “compostable” under the ordinance, it must promptly and safely break down into usable compost in local facilities. “Recyclable” means the item is accepted by the regional recycling infrastructure, closing the gap between appearance and reality around recycling claims.
Who and When Does It Affect?
- Permanent Food Facilities (Restaurants, Coffee Shops, Bars): Required to comply by May 1, 2023.
- Food Trucks: Required to comply by November 1, 2023, providing an extra transition period.
- Temporary Food Facilities, Farmer’s Markets, Catering Operations: Compliance by May 1, 2024.
- Street Vendors: Exempt from these requirements for now.
Implementation and Enforcement Strategy
Rolling out an ordinance of this scale requires education, resources, and thoughtful enforcement. The County Board of Supervisors has prioritized a transition-first approach:
- Outreach to Businesses: The County Department of Public Works leads initial educational efforts, offering business guidance to source compliant alternatives.
- Complaint-Based Enforcement: For the first year, enforcement relies on community-provided complaints. The focus is on education and support, not immediate fines.
- Inspections: Future compliance checks will occur as part of routine food facility inspections.
- Fines: As a last resort, violations can result in fines up to $100 per day, but not exceeding $1,000 per year for each facility.
- Waivers: Limited exemptions exist for small businesses facing true financial hardship or where safe food handling proves infeasible with alternatives.
Helping Restaurants and Businesses Adjust
Many local businesses voiced concerns about the financial and operational burden of switching from cheap plastics to sustainable goods. County leaders recognize this challenge and have:
- Provided technical assistance and a business resource library to help identify affordable, compliant products.
- Created guidance on sourcing truly recyclable and compostable items suited to local infrastructure.
- Worked with environmental groups and restaurant associations to educate owners and staff about new practices and compliance tools.
Environmental Impact: The Promise of a Plastic-Free Future
Proponents argue that this ordinance delivers benefits far beyond visible litter reduction. The most direct outcomes include:
- Significant Decrease in Non-Recyclable Waste: By requiring alternatives, much of the food service waste stream shifts to compostable, recyclable, or truly reusable items—a step forward for local landfills and compost sites.
- Cleaner Waterways and Beaches: With less EPS foam and plastic escaping into storm drains, ocean-bound litter should decline, providing relief for marine life and reducing cleanup costs.
- Lower Taxpayer Burdens: Reducing single-use items helps cities avoid multi-million-dollar waste and cleanup expenses each year.
- Public Health and Climate Benefits: Less fossil fuel plastic means lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduced risk of toxic microplastics entering food and water supplies.
California—and LA County—in Context
California has gradually ramped up regulation of plastic waste, with Los Angeles County’s ordinance standing out for its breadth and enforceability. The state already prohibits most businesses from handing out single-use items without request, but this measure sets new standards for what materials are allowed in the first place. Elsewhere, New York City has reported spending over $43 million annually to landfill single-use plastics—underscoring the financial burdens local governments hope to alleviate with stricter bans. City and county ordinances, spanning from carryout bag restrictions to disposable cutlery bans, have set the stage for broader action.
Polystyrene (Styrofoam): A Special Target
Expanded polystyrene foam products, popular for takeout containers and coffee cups, are particularly challenging. Lightweight and fragile, EPS foam quickly shreds into microplastics, leading to widespread contamination. It is rarely, if ever, recycled due to contamination risk and lack of infrastructure. Under the ordinance:
- Foods and Drinks: EPS foam foodware is entirely banned unless inside a hard, durable shell (like a cooler).
- Packing Materials: No sale of foam peanuts or similar packing goods in retail.
- Exceptions: Product encased in durable material (such as surfboards and some athletic equipment) are exempt, and street vendors are currently not included.
The ban’s ripple effect is expected to influence other neighboring cities and counties, serving as a model for similar restrictions across California and beyond.
Challenges and Criticism
No environmental legislation escapes scrutiny. While most environmental groups and public officials support the new rules, some business owners caution that alternatives may be more expensive or less practical for certain uses—especially for small, independent restaurants or food trucks. However, data suggest reusable foodware offers cost savings over time compared to perpetually buying disposable plastics.
Other challenges include:
- Supply Chain Adjustments: Sourcing meeting compostable or recyclable standards requires coordination with reliable manufacturers and suppliers.
- Consumer Adaptation: Customers must adapt to new types of containers and sometimes return reusable items.
- Compliance Monitoring: Effective enforcement is essential to avoid inequity and ensure a true environmental shift.
Still, strong advocacy from groups such as Surfrider Foundation and collaborative implementation from the County have helped smooth the transition and maintain public focus on long-term benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Does the ordinance cover the entire city of Los Angeles?
A: The ordinance applies to unincorporated areas of LA County, not the City of Los Angeles. However, similar regulations are in place in most local cities.
Q: Are street vendors and special events included in the ban?
A: Street vendors are currently exempt. Temporary food facilities and catered events must comply by May 2024.
Q: What alternatives can restaurants use to comply?
A: They can use foodware that is either reusable, BPI-certified compostable, or accepted by local recycling programs. Many options include bamboo, paper, or rigid reusable plastics and ceramics for dine-in.
Q: What should I do if I see non-compliance?
A: Customers can file complaints with the LA County Department of Public Works or dial 311 to report violations.
Q: Is enforcement focused on fines and penalties?
A: Initially, enforcement emphasizes education and support. Fines are a last resort, imposed only after other strategies fail.
How to Support and Stay Informed
- Ask your local eateries about their compliance and support businesses making the switch to sustainable packaging.
- Reduce personal use of single-use plastics and encourage friends and family to do the same.
- Stay updated through official LA County resources and local environmental organizations such as Surfrider Foundation for news on implementation and progress.
- Participate in local clean-up efforts and share feedback with county government on ordinance outcomes.
LA County’s action represents a watershed moment in the fight against plastic pollution, demonstrating that ambitious local policy can set a high bar and catalyze change far beyond city borders. As restaurants and residents adapt, communities across California and the nation will be watching—and learning—how bold waste reform can build resilience for health, the climate, and generations to come.
References
- https://lacounty.gov/2023/05/01/los-angeles-county-kicks-off-ordinance-for-sustainable-food-ware/
- https://la.surfrider.org/campaigns/Ban+Single-Use+Plastic+and+EPS+Foam+Products+in+LA+County?hsLang=en
- https://cso.lacounty.gov/the-plan/cso-current-initiatives/single-use-plastic-food-service-ware-ordinance
- https://www.reusablela.org/hold-the-plastic-please-policies
- https://greenprintproducts.com/plastic-bans-las-angeles-ca/
- https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2025-03-22/california-banned-polystyrene-so-why-is-it-still-on-store-shelves
- https://calrecycle.ca.gov/plastics/carryoutbags/
Similar Articles
Read full bio of medha deb
