Here are the latest laws for local restaurants and businesses.

Got questions? We have answers.

If you love eating out or ordering in, join us as we reach out to restaurants, share info cards, and offer helpful tools to reduce waste and comply with these laws. Learn more here!

First, where are you located? Laws vary by jurisdiction, and our region is made up of LA City, independent cities, and unincorporated LA County areas - all with slightly different laws. Use this helpful tool to check.

Scroll down to learn about each policy, how to comply, when they go into effect, enforcement, and more.

 

State of California

+ Can eateries hand out single-use utensils and condiments to customers?

Only if the customer explicitly asks for them. Staff can’t offer or give them without being prompted. This includes utensils (forks, knives, spoons, sporks, chopsticks), condiment cups and packets, straws, stirrers, splash sticks, and cocktail sticks. This law applies to food facilities and food delivery companies.

  • In effect as of January 1, 2022
  • Additional Details: Eateries can have self-serve dispensers. Drive-throughs and airports may offer accessories to customers, but cannot hand them out without confirmation. Correctional institutions, licensed healthcare facilities, residential care facilities, public and private school cafeterias are exempt.
  • Enforcement: This law is enforced by local jurisdictions (municipalities and counties). With questions or to report a violation, please contact your local government.
  • The Law: AB 1276: Single-Use Foodware Accessories and Condiments
  • Helpful Links:

County of Los Angeles (Unincorporated)

+ Can eateries use “styrofoam”?

In most cases, no. Any takeout containers, cups, plates, or other disposable items made of expanded polystyrene (commonly called “styrofoam”) are banned.

+ What kind of single-use plates, bowls, utensils, straws, etc. can restaurants use?

For both dine-in and takeout, all single-use foodware must be recyclable or compostable – and plastic is not considered either.

+ Can staff offer utensils, condiments, or straws to customers?

Yes, staff can ask customers if they need foodware accessories, like utensils, condiments, or straws. However, they cannot automatically give these items without a customer requesting them.

+ Do eateries have to use reusables if customers are dining in?

Yes, if you are a full service restaurant. Customers must be given reusable food service ware that will be washed and used again if they are dining in.

 

City of Los Angeles

+ Can eateries hand out single-use utensils, condiments, or straws to customers?

Only if the customer explicitly asks for them. Staff can’t offer or give them without being prompted. This includes utensils (forks, knives, spoons, sporks, chopsticks), condiment cups and packets, straws, stirrers, splash sticks, and cocktail sticks. This law applies to food facilities and food delivery companies.

  • In effect as of November 15, 2021
  • Additional Details: Drive-throughs and delivery services may offer accessories to customers, but cannot hand them out without confirmation. Eateries cannot have self-serve dispensers.
  • Enforcement: LA Sanitation and Environment (LASAN) is conducting enforcement and will provide written notice of violations. Starting from the third violation, facilities or third-party vendors/platforms out of compliance will be charged an administrative fine of $25 for each day they are in violation. For customers, if you see a violation you can let LASAN know by calling them at 213-485-2260 or emailing SRCRD@lacity.org.
  • The Law: Disposable Foodware Accessories Upon Request
  • Helpful Links:

+ What’s the latest with the bag ban?

Now, the already existing single-use plastic bag ban includes all retail shops – not just grocery stores. Recyclable paper bags can be offered for a fee, but encouraging customers to bring their own reusable bags is ideal.

  • In effect as of January 23, 2023 for large shops (more than 26 employees) and July 1, 2023 for all other shops
  • Additional Details: The law applies to apparel stores, farmers’ markets, all food and beverage facilities, hardware stores, and open air markets. Paper bags are available for a $0.10 fee.
  • Enforcement: Enforcement will be carried out by LA Sanitation and Environment and will administer warnings for a first violation and then fines starting at $100 for second violations and up to $500 for four or more violations. For customers, if you see a violation you can let LASAN know by calling them at 213-485-2260 or emailing SRCRD@lacity.org.
  • The Law: Single-Use Carryout Bag Ban Expansion
  • Helpful Links:

+ Can businesses use or sell “styrofoam”?

No. Products made from expanded polystyrene (commonly called “styrofoam”) including but not limited to cups, bowls, plates, clamshells, egg cartons, food trays, coolers, ice chests, shipping boxes, packing peanuts, and packing materials are all banned.

  • In effect as of April 23, 2023 for large food and beverage facilities and retail establishments with more than 26 employees
    • April 23, 2024 for all other facilities
  • Additional Details: Do not use any “styrofoam” products for food, beverage, shipping, or packing material. No food or beverage facilities or retail establishments can distribute, offer, provide, rent, or sell to any person any EPS product, food or beverage in any EPS product or packaging, or shipping or packing materials that contain EPS.
  • Enforcement: Enforcement will be carried out by LA Sanitation and Environment and will administer a fine of $250 for a first violation, $500 for a second violation, and $1,000 for any subsequent violations. For customers, if you see a violation you can let LASAN know by calling them at 213-485-2260 or emailing SRCRD@lacity.org.
  • The Law: Expanded Polystyrene Ban
  • *Helpful Links: *

Other Laws in LA

To date, there are 22 cities total in LA County with various plastics reduction ordinances. They include Alhambra, Arcadia, Avalon, Beverly Hills, Calabasas, Culver City, El Segundo, Glendale, Hermosa Beach, Long Beach, Los Angeles City, Los Angeles County Unincorporated, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Monrovia, Pasadena, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica, Signal Hill, South Pasadena, West Hollywood. The combined population of these 22 municipalities with some form of plastics ordinance totals about 6.6 million, which is roughly 64% of the total LA County population of about 10 million. For more info on these laws, please visit the specific city’s webpages.