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Foodware Accessories Upon Request / Disposable Foodware Acessories / Small Business Commission / Food Service Providers / Zero-Use Trash

Council File 21-0064

In progress — the city is building public support for a ban on single-use printer cartridges, the next step in a broader plastics-reduction initiative. A $497,000 outreach campaign is ready for committee review before moving to council.

Introduced
2021-01-13
Last changed
2026-09-10
Status
open
Expires
2028-09-09
Committee
Energy and Environment Committee
Mover
PAUL KORETZ
Second
MIKE BONIN
References
Related Council Files: 18-1190; 17-0656; 07-3155-S1; 18-0652; 18-0301; 19-0480-S1; 19-0519; 19-0522; 20-1587City Attorney Report: R21-0125; R22-0353; R22-0356; R22-0373; R22-0393; R22-0436

Brief

Councilmembers Paul Koretz and Paul Krekorian introduced a motion in January 2021 to restrict disposable foodware accessories and single-use plastics across food service providers and retail establishments. The city has adopted multiple related ordinances since 2021, including bans on expanded polystyrene products and regulations on single-use plastic bags at apparel stores, farmers markets, hardware stores, and other retail venues. The Bureau of Sanitation continues submitting implementation reports and environmental analyses. The file remains open in the Energy and Environment Committee pending further review of compliance and program effectiveness.

Full summary

Council File 21-0064 encompasses a comprehensive plastics reduction program initiated by Koretz and Krekorian in January 2021. The core proposal regulates how food service providers distribute disposable foodware accessories—plastic forks, spoons, knives, straws, napkins, and similar items—by requiring distribution only upon customer request rather than automatic inclusion with meals or purchases. The motion cited pandemic-era data showing single-use foodware waste had increased roughly 250-300%, and noted that environmental justice communities disproportionately bear the burden of single-use plastic pollution in their neighborhoods. The file has grown substantially in scope since its introduction. The initial foodware accessories ordinance was adopted by Council on April 21, 2021, and became effective June 14, 2021. Beginning in late 2022, the City Attorney and Bureau of Sanitation layered additional ordinances into this file, including a citywide ban on expanded polystyrene products, expanded restrictions on single-use carryout bags at apparel stores, farmers markets, hardware stores, and open-air markets, and zero-waste standards for city-owned facilities and city-sponsored events. All were approved through the Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River Committee and adopted by Council in November and December 2022. The most consequential recent development is the expansion of this file into a formal Comprehensive Plastics Reduction Program, supported by a certified Final Program Environmental Impact Report. In December 2025, Council voted 15-0 to direct the Bureau of Sanitation to develop a public outreach campaign in support of the next proposed measure under this umbrella: a citywide ban on single-use printer cartridges. The Bureau responded in September 2026 with a detailed five-phase, 12-month outreach plan estimated to cost approximately $497,000 in contractual services already budgeted within the program. The campaign is designed to move sequentially from public awareness and retailer compliance assistance, through consumer education and manufacturer partnerships, to enforcement and evaluation. It would include direct outreach to office supply retailers, school programming through LAUSD, take-back pilots at city S.A.F.E. Centers, and coordination with major printer manufacturers such as HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother. The file remains open and active, with the Bureau of Sanitation's outreach plan pending committee and council review. It is set to expire September 9, 2028.

Activity (77)

  • 2026-09-10 Bureau of Sanitation document(s) referred to Energy and Environment Committee.
  • 2026-09-09 Document submitted by Bureau of Sanitation, dated September 2, 2026.
  • 2025-12-12 Council action final.
  • 2025-12-10 Council adopted item forthwith.
  • 2025-12-05 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on December 10, 2025.
  • 2025-09-02 Energy and Environment Committee approved as amended .
  • 2025-08-29 Energy and Environment Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on September 2, 2025.
  • 2025-08-06 Bureau of Sanitation document(s) referred to Energy and Environment Committee.
  • 2025-06-24 Document submitted by Bureau of Sanitation, dated June 24, 2025.
  • 2024-10-10 Council action final.
  • 2024-10-01 City Clerk transmitted file to Mayor. Last day for Mayor to act is October 11, 2024.
  • 2024-10-01 Council adopted item forthwith.
  • 2024-09-27 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on October 1, 2024.
  • 2024-09-13 Energy and Environment Committee approved as amended .
  • 2024-09-06 Bureau of Sanitation document(s) referred to Energy and Environment Committee.
  • 2024-09-04 Document(s) submitted by Bureau of Sanitation, as follows:Bureau of Sanitation report, dated September 5, 2024, relative to the California Environmental Quality Act final program environmental impact report and comprehensive Plastics Reduction Program.
  • 2022-12-19 Ordinance posted/published. Ordinance effective date: January 23, 2023.
  • 2022-12-09 Council action final.
  • 2022-12-07 City Clerk transmitted file to Mayor. Last day for Mayor to act is December 19, 2022.
  • 2022-12-06 Council adopted item forthwith.
  • 2022-12-05 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on December 6, 2022.
  • 2022-12-01 Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River Committee approved item(s) .
  • 2022-11-23 Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on December 1, 2022.
  • 2022-11-15 City Attorney document(s) referred to Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River Committee.
  • 2022-11-14 Document(s) submitted by City Attorney, as follows:City Attorney report R22-0393, dated November 10, 2022, relative to a revised draft Ordinance amending the Los Angeles Municipal Code to prohibit the distribution and sale of expanded polystyrene products commonly referred to under the trade name Styrofoam.
  • 2022-11-10 City Attorney document(s) referred to Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River Committee.
  • 2022-11-09 Council action final.
  • 2022-11-09 Council adopted item forthwith.
  • 2022-11-04 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on November 9, 2022.
  • 2022-11-03 Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River Committee approved as amended .
  • 2022-10-28 Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on November 3, 2022.
  • 2022-10-28 Bureau of Sanitation document(s) referred to Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River Committee.
  • 2022-10-27 Document(s) submitted by City Attorney, as follows:City Attorney report R22-0373, dated October 27, 2022, relative to a draft Ordinance amending the Los Angeles Municipal Code to promote the use of reusable bags and regulate the use of plastic and paper single-use carryout bags at apparel stores, farmers' markets, food or beverage facilities, hardware stores, and open air markets.
  • 2022-10-26 Document(s) submitted by Bureau of Sanitation, as follows:Bureau of Sanitation report, dated October 26, 2022, relative to the California Environmental Quality Act Notice and draft Environmental Analysis of Exemption for the Zero Waste City Facilities and Events on City Property Ordinance.
  • 2022-10-26 Document(s) submitted by Bureau of Sanitation, as follows:Bureau of Sanitation report, dated October 26, 2022, relative to the California Environmental Quality Act Notice of Exemption and draft Environmental Analysis for the Prohibition of Distribution and Sale of Expanded Polystyrene Products Ordinance.
  • 2022-10-26 Document(s) submitted by Bureau of Sanitation, as follows:Bureau of Sanitation report, dated October 26, 2022, relative to the California Environmental Quality Act Notice of Exemption and draft Environmental Analysis for the Prohibition of Plastic Single-Use Carryout Bags at Additional Establishments and Prohibition of Additional Bag Types Ordinance.
  • 2022-10-21 City Attorney document(s) referred to Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River Committee.
  • 2022-10-14 Document(s) submitted by City Attorney, as follows:City Attorney report R22-0356, dated October 13, 2022, relative to a draft Ordinance adding an article to the Los Angeles Municipal Code, to prohibit the distribution and sale of expanded polystyrene products commonly referred to under the trade name Styrofoam.
  • 2022-10-14 City Attorney document(s) referred to Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River Committee.
  • 2022-10-06 Document(s) submitted by City Attorney, as follows:City Attorney report R22-0353, dated October 6, 2022, relative to a draft Ordinance adding a new article to the Los Angeles Administrative Code for the reduction of single-use plastics, including reusable alternatives, zero-waste events, facilities, and related matters.
  • 2022-08-04 Community Impact Statement submitted by Silver Lake Neighborhood Council.
  • 2022-04-29 Council action final.
  • 2022-04-27 Council adopted item, subject to reconsideration, pursuant to Council Rule 51.
  • 2022-04-22 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on April 27, 2022.
  • 2022-04-07 Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River Committee approved as amended .
  • 2022-04-01 Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on April 7, 2022.
  • 2022-03-31 Bureau of Sanitation document(s) referred to Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River Committee.
  • 2022-03-31 Document(s) submitted by Bureau of Sanitation, as follows:Bureau of Sanitation report, dated March 30, 2022, relative to the reduction of single-use plastics, and zero waste events and facilities.
  • 2022-02-17 Council action final.
  • 2022-02-16 Council adopted item forthwith.
  • 2022-02-11 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on February 16, 2022.
  • 2021-12-02 Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River Committee approved as amended .
  • 2021-11-23 Bureau of Sanitation document(s) referred to Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River Committee.
  • 2021-11-22 Document(s) submitted by Bureau of Sanitation, as follows:Bureau of Sanitation report, dated November 22, 2021, relative to the reduction of the use of plastics, including reusable alternatives, potential California Environmental Quality Act activities, and funding.
  • 2021-06-07 Community Impact Statement submitted by Silver Lake Neighborhood Council.
  • 2021-05-14 Ordinance posted/published. Ordinance effective date: June 14, 2021.
  • 2021-05-04 Community Impact Statement submitted by Greater Cypress Park Neighborhood Council.
  • 2021-04-21 Council adopted item forthwith.
  • 2021-04-16 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on April 21, 2021.
  • 2021-04-15 Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River Committee approved as amended .
  • 2021-04-09 Bureau of Sanitation document(s) referred to Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River Committee.
  • 2021-04-09 Document(s) submitted by Bureau of Sanitation, as follows:Bureau of Sanitation report, dated April 9, 2021, relative to a Notice of Exemption and a Draft Environmental Analysis for a disposable foodware accessories ordinance.
  • 2021-04-09 City Attorney document(s) referred to Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River Committee.
  • 2021-04-09 Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on April 15, 2021.
  • 2021-04-08 Document(s) submitted by City Attorney, as follows:City Attorney report 21-0125, dated April 8, 2021, relative to a draft Ordinance amending the Los Angeles Municipal Code to regulate the use of disposable foodware accessories.
  • 2021-03-25 Council action final.
  • 2021-03-18 Community Impact Statement submitted by East Hollywood Neighborhood Council (EHNC).
  • 2021-03-17 Council adopted item forthwith.
  • 2021-03-17 Community Impact Statement submitted by Los Feliz Neighborhood Council,Los Feliz Neighborhood Council.
  • 2021-03-16 Community Impact Statement submitted by Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council.
  • 2021-03-16 Community Impact Statement submitted by Palms Neighborhood Council.
  • 2021-03-12 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on March 17, 2021.
  • 2021-03-04 Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River Committee approved as amended .
  • 2021-03-03 Community Impact Statement submitted by Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council.
  • 2021-02-27 Community Impact Statement submitted by Northridge South.
  • 2021-02-26 Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on March 4, 2021.
  • 2021-01-13 Motion document(s) referred to Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River Committee.

Documents (147)

Council votes (1)

  • 2025-12-10 Adopted Forthwith — 15-0-0 · Regular

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