Come next June, restaurant patrons will no longer be able to expect ketchup packets or single-use plastic forks and knives unless they have specifically requested them.
On Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 1276 into law, piggybacking on existing law that prohibits full-service restaurants from offering plastic straws unless a customer asks for them.
The new law is similar, in that it prohibits restaurants from providing any sort of utensil or condiment - like ketchup and mustard packets, to customers.
In comments shared by the senate, bill authors Wendy Carrillo and Lorena Gonzalez point to how the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for takeout, food delivery and the utensils that accompany the meals.
“The use of disposable food accessories like plastic forks, spoons, and knives has led to a rise in single-use plastics and waste,” they wrote.
“AB 1276 is an important step to significantly reduce plastic waste that pollutes our oceans, harms marine life, harms our environment, and hurts low income communities of color, while simultaneously providing financial savings to restaurants and local governments.”
How it works:
All California cities and counties will be required to enforce the new law on or before June 1, 2023.
Penalties for violating the new law will remain low. For their first and second violations businesses will only get a notice of violation. Any violation after that will result in a fine of $25 for each day in violation, only up to $300, according to the bill text.
At a restaurant/food facility: Employees will ask a customer if they need any condiments or utensils for their order.
On delivery apps like DoorDash and UberEats: Businesses will have to list condiments and utensils as an item on the menu and customers will have to add them to the order.
Related
Related
