Single-Use Plastics

While some plastic foodware containers are currently accepted as recyclable in Cupertino, recycling does not address all problems with plastics. This includes problems with foodware containers and utensils made from polylactic acid (PLA) or other “compostable plastics,” which are not accepted in Cupertino’s organics recycling program because they take too long to degrade. An exception is made for Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI)-certified compostable plastic bags, which are allowed to collect food scraps. Bio-plastic materials behave the same as traditional plastic in the environment in terms of photodegrading into smaller pieces and being eaten by wildlife, and do not break down any more readily in the water. Bio-plastic cups and containers are confusing to users because they appear identical to traditional plastic items and are often mistakenly sorted as recyclable. Bio-plastic foodware also tends to be the most expensive type of single-use foodware and creates a false sense of environmental benefit. Even if labeled as BPI-certified compostable, bio-plastic cups, containers, utensils, and accessories are still considered contaminants in the composting process. If bio-plastics are disposed in landfill they create methane as they degrade. If disposed as recyclable or compostable they must be sorted out as contaminants and are sent to landfill. There is no place for the currently-available bio-plastics in Cupertino’s waste streams.

Key elements of the proposed single-use plastics ordinance were brought to a City Council Study Session on March 1^st. City Council directed staff to return with a draft ordinance for a first reading in April. If you were interested in attending the meeting, but unable to make it you can view the recording, presentation slides, and staff report here.

The first phase of the draft ordinance mirrors the requirements of state law (AB 1276) and requires that food service ware accessories such as utensils, chopsticks, condiment cups and packets, straws, stirrers, splash sticks, and cocktail sticks be provided only upon request by customers. These requirements become effective on June 1, 2022.

The second phase of the draft ordinance includes elements that would go into effect one year later, on August 1, 2023. These requirements include:

1. Prohibiting the use of non-complaint food service ware by food providers:

• Continue to prohibit use of expanded polystyrene foam food service ware
• Prohibit use of single-use plastic items (even if accepted as recyclable)
• Prohibit use of bio-plastics (compostable plastics)
• Require takeout food service ware to be fiber-based and compostable or entirely made of aluminum

2. Reusable food service ware required for dining on premises:

• Reusable food service ware must be provided for customers dining on site at the food provider’s location. Requires sufficient dishwashing capacity or a contract with a dishwashing service.

3. Prohibiting the sale of non-compliant foodware:

• Ban local sale of expanded polystyrene foam, and bio-plastic food service ware

Attend the City Council Study Session on August 16, 2022 to hear more about the draft ordinance and have an opportunity to speak about the proposal.

In 2021,Cupertino's Environmental Program division partnered with a consultant to discover what Cupertino's restaurants and customers thought about single-use foodware items.

Most customers that were surveyed are very concerned about the environmental impacts of these items. They would support businesses that implemented environmentally preferable alternatives and are generally in favor of a foodware ordinance.

Food facilities survey results indicated that the cost is similar to what they are paying now and if there is technical assistance available to help offset increased costs, these managers would also widely support a foodware ordinance.

Read more detail and view the entire survey results: https://engagecupertino.org/12429/widgets/40425/documents/26257

Plastic Myths vs FactsClick the image to open the full document and take a deeper look into Cupertino Plastics Data

Dive into the data to gain a better understanding of the plastic waste that is generated in Cupertino. Page two of this infographic shows how that plastic waste is sorted into the trash, recycling, and organics bin for collection.

What does this data tell us?

• Half of the plastic waste in Cupertino is NOT recyclable.
• Of the 50% of plastics that could be recycled, only 17% were successfully cleaned and put in the blue cart.
  
• About a quarter of plastics are incorrectly “wishcycled” into the blue or green carts.
• Room for improvement: an estimated 1288 tons of plastic could be recycled if clean and sorted correctly.

What can you do to help?

• Learn what goes in each bin at Cupertino.org/NoWaste
• Make sure your plastic is empty, clean, and dry before putting it in the recycling bin.
• Invest in a reusable alternative to reduce your waste.
• Give your feedback and stay up to date with the Single-use Plastics reduction efforts in Cupertino.