Single-Use Plastics
Cupertino's Single-Use Plastics Ordinance was approved by City Council on September 6, 2022. View the ordinance here or watch the council meeting here(External link).
The City of Cupertino City Council approved the ordinance in order to reduce the unnecessary use of single-use disposable plastic food service ware (such as cups, utensils, and containers) by restaurants and other food facilities.
Why is it important?
Plastic is causing a lot of concern because:
- Plastics and microplastics are now found in the ocean, air, soil, and animals (including humans).
- Food packaging is often littered, and plastic litter does not biodegrade, it justContinue reading
Cupertino's Single-Use Plastics Ordinance was approved by City Council on September 6, 2022. View the ordinance here or watch the council meeting here(External link).
The City of Cupertino City Council approved the ordinance in order to reduce the unnecessary use of single-use disposable plastic food service ware (such as cups, utensils, and containers) by restaurants and other food facilities.
Why is it important?
Plastic is causing a lot of concern because:
- Plastics and microplastics are now found in the ocean, air, soil, and animals (including humans).
- Food packaging is often littered, and plastic litter does not biodegrade, it just breaks into smaller and smaller pieces.
- Plastics can leach harmful chemicals into food and beverages.
- Plastics can be difficult to recycle. When they are recycled it is often into new products such as fleece or composite wood replacements that cannot themselves be recycled (downcycling).
- Plastic foodware is often used for just a few minutes and then goes to landfill.
- Plastics production can be bad for air and water near factories which can have an effect on human health.
Many plastic products are important and even life-saving, but humans can reduce or eliminate many single-use plastics without impacting their quality of life.
What can a Single-Use Plastics Foodware Ordinance do?
An ordinance could phase in a variety of requirements for food businesses to reduce the use of single-use plastic and encourage more reusable foodware, such as:
- Require that prepared takeout food be served using compostable fiber-based cups, containers, utensils, and other accessories
- Require reusable foodware for dining in.
- Ban local use and sale of compostable plastic cups and containers.
More information on the proposed ordinance can be found below. City Council will be considering these ideas at a special study session on March 1, 2022 and the public is welcome to attend and share thoughts during public comment opportunities.
How can you get involved ?
Participation for developing the ordinance has now closed. Please help us implement these waste reduction practices by reporting businesses that are not complying with the new regulations.
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CLOSED: This survey has concluded.
If you visit restaurants, cafes, tea shops, or other food service places in Cupertino, your feedback is valuable in shaping the future of single-use plastics.
Please anticipate 5 minutes to complete the survey.
Para solicitar una copia de esta encuesta en español, envíe un correo electrónico a environmental@cupertino.org.
要索取本調查的西班牙語副本,請發送電子郵件至 environmental@cupertino.org。Share Customers on Facebook Share Customers on Twitter Share Customers on Linkedin Email Customers link -
CLOSED: This survey has concluded.
To fill out the survey in English, please click the below link or copy and paste the link into your browser:
https://forms.gle/Cu8QnG2RvZZvkeYN7(External link)
要以中文填寫調查問卷,請點擊以下鏈接或將鏈接複製並粘貼到您的瀏覽器中。
https://forms.gle/QiBXy2CSeBu3SaXaA(External link)
Para completar la encuesta en español, haga clic en el enlace o copie y pegue el enlace en su navegador:
https://forms.gle/CXYJixdbAcG82B4a7(External link)
Thank you so much for your help! Your answers will help us understand the needs of our business community before a new local ordinance is proposed.
Share Food Service Business Owners and Managers on Facebook Share Food Service Business Owners and Managers on Twitter Share Food Service Business Owners and Managers on Linkedin Email Food Service Business Owners and Managers link
Key Dates
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August 16 2022
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September 06 2022
Follow Project
Quick Polls
Lifecycle
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Step 1- Conduct Outreach and Seek Feedback
Single-Use Plastics has finished this stageEducate, gather ideas, priorities, and concerns from community.
- Surveys
- Council and Commission meetings
- In-person outreach
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Step 2 - Bring Proposed Ordinance to City Council
Single-Use Plastics is currently at this stageIf Council members approve, the ordinance will be scheduled for a second reading and adoption.
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Step 3 – Educate Community About Ordinance
this is an upcoming stage for Single-Use Plastics14 months between adoption and enforcement allows for businesses to be informed and receive guidance if needed.
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Step 4 – Enforcement Begins
this is an upcoming stage for Single-Use PlasticsAfter the educational period, compliance will be required under the municipal code.
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Who's Listening
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Phone (408) 777-7603 Email UrsulaS@cupertino.org (External link) -
Phone (408) 777-3243 Email NicoleL@cupertino.org (External link)