Napa County requires reusable or certified compostable foodware and a disposable-item fee for takeout

Napa County issued guidance explaining requirements under its Reusable Foodware and Waste Reduction Ordinance for businesses that sell prepared food and beverages in unincorporated areas. The county's training video instructs that plates, cups and utensils must be reusable for on-site dining and that takeout and temporary-event containers must be certified compostable; recyclable containers may be used only when a compostable option does not exist.

The video, presented by a county training presenter, said a key goal of the ordinance is to "help Napa businesses reduce waste, protect our environment, and keep our community clean and healthy." It notes that styrofoam items are prohibited in all contexts and small accessory items such as napkins, toothpicks and straws must be compostable when provided.

Under the ordinance, businesses must charge a disposable foodware fee of $0.25 per compostable foodware item, up to $1 per order; the charge must be itemized on the customer's receipt and businesses may retain the proceeds to offset the cost of compostable foodware or other business expenses. The fee is not charged when customers participate in the California Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children or when paying with food stamps or an electronic benefit transfer card, the presenter said.

The training explains customer-provided reusable containers are allowed for leftovers and takeout; businesses may offer discounts for customers who bring clean reusable foodware but may refuse to use containers that are not clean. For takeout, delivery and temporary events, accessory items such as utensils, straws and condiments must be provided only upon customer request, and businesses must provide easy ways for customers to request these items online, by phone or in person.

On waste handling, the county instructs businesses to provide clearly labeled bins in both front- and back-of-house: black or gray for landfill, blue for recycling and green for compost. Signs with pictures showing examples of each waste type must be posted near bins, and employers must ensure staff do not place recyclable or compostable materials in landfill bins. The county said it will provide bins, labels, signage and worker trainings at no cost to businesses.

The ordinance includes compliance measures: employers must train employees annually, keep records of completed trainings for at least three years, and county environmental health and code compliance staff may conduct inspections; violations may result in fines. The video directs businesses to a county webpage (www.tinyurl.com/napacountyfoodware) and to contact Amanda Griffis at Napa County for resources and assistance.

Next steps for affected businesses are to review the county materials, update procurement and front-of-house practices to prioritize reusable and certified compostable options, implement the required annual staff training and ensure receipt systems can itemize the disposable foodware fee. The county department named in the video for further information is the Napa County Planning, Building, and Environmental Services Department.