San Jose to Enact State Law to Rein In Single-Use Plastic Waste

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The San Jose City Council has decided to allow local enforcement of the state law AB 1276 that proposes actions to curb generation of single-use plastic waste in the state of California. Accordingly, the City Council voted in favour of amending the City’s Municipal Code.

The bill would prohibit a food facility from providing single-use foodware accessories such as such as plastic utensils, chopsticks and coffee sticky or standard condiment packets to a consumer unless requested. Incidentally, these items were identified as the major pollutants of San Jose waterways and San Francisco Bay. It adds additional layer of protection to AB 1884 which aims at curbing the use of single-use straws.

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The press release noted that the City would engage with residents and businesses to make them aware about the requirements of the state law. The law will be enforced with effect from January 1, 2023, although initial focus will be on education and outreach rather than carrying out inspections.

The law will be applicable to food facilities such as restaurants, coffee shops, mobile food vendors and third-party online delivery platforms. Meantime, it exempts correctional institutions, health care facilities, residential care facilities, and public and private schools.