Santa Cruz City Disposable Products Ordinance To Start March 8

SANTA CRUZ, CA — The City of Santa Cruz compliance date for its 2020 update to the Environmentally Acceptable Packaging and Products Ordinance is effective on March 8. The ordinance will expand the city’s definitions of compostable and biodegradable.

Under the ordinance, businesses will charge a $.025 fee for hot and cold drinks sold in disposable cups. The “upon request” mandate for straws, utensils, condiments and other accessories for ordering platforms including online and delivery apps like Door Dash will also continue.

Disposable food service products must be fiber based and follow other guidelines by the Biodegradable Products Institute or other third-party certification entities. The ordinance encourages businesses to use durable and washable dishes and utensils and fill customers reusable cups and containers.

Business owners say they have already experience positive outcomes from following the compliance.

“Since accepting personal containers, and advertising it, we have a growing number of regulars who come here for that exact reason,” said La Cabaña Taqueria manager Frita Landeros.

“When we educate people about the to-go fee, they opt for a ‘here’ drink,” said Flower Bar owner Sharon Schneider. “We have regulars who also come here because they know they can use their reusable cup.”

The ordinance update was extended from 2020 to 2022 given the impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on local businesses. Business owners are encouraged to read the updated ordinance and prepare for it to finally go into effect March 8.