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Caution! Policies on single-use tableware are impacting the industry in the United States.
--As time progresses, regulations driven by both federal guidance and state-level legislation are being implemented, making it crucial for purchasers of single-use tableware to be aware of potential legal violations.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Plastic Pollution Strategy
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released the National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution, outlining a framework for reducing the production and use of single-use plastic products throughout the supply chain. While the strategy itself is not a direct ban, it sets clear policy direction for federal agencies and procurement programs.
Meanwhile, Executive Order 14057 requires federal agencies to significantly reduce the use of single-use plastics in government operations, with the goal of phasing out most single-use plastics in federal procurement, national parks, and public lands by 2032. This policy directly impacts food packaging and single-use tableware supplied to federal agencies.
U.S. State Bans on Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Food Service Products
Currently, most enforceable regulations exist at the state level. Several U.S. states have implemented outright bans on expanded polystyrene (EPS) food service products, including plates, bowls, cups, and clamshell containers.
New Jersey implemented a statewide ban on EPS food service products in May 2022, making it one of the earliest and most comprehensive state-level restrictions. New York followed suit with a similar ban that went into effect in January 2022, covering food containers and other packaging.
EPS Foam Food Service Bans in Washington, Oregon, and Maine: What It Means for Suppliers
On the West Coast, Washington state will ban EPS food service products starting in June 2024, while Oregon's statewide ban took effect in January 2025. Maine has also passed legislation banning EPS food containers, which will be implemented in 2025.
In these states, food service operators must switch to alternative materials such as cornstarch-based, sugarcane bagasse, or other compliant non-foam materials.
California’s 2022 Plastic Pollution Law and Its Impact on Single-Use Tableware
California has taken a broader regulatory approach. In addition to city-level EPS bans, California enacted the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act in 2022, which sets long-term requirements for recyclable or compostable packaging and imposes stricter producer responsibility regulations.
Furthermore, California law stipulates that food service establishments can only provide single-use utensils (including disposable knives and forks) upon customer request, a regulation that went into effect statewide in 2022. While not a complete ban, this regulation directly impacts the trade of single-use utensils.
Sustainability in the food service industry is an inevitable trend.
In these regions, compliance standards typically focus on food contact safety, accurate labeling, and clear compostable or recyclable markings. Products marketed as environmentally friendly must comply with state-specific definitions and enforcement rules, which vary by region.
As more states adopt similar measures, the trend in environmentally friendly disposable tableware is no longer driven by voluntary sustainability initiatives but is increasingly constrained by mandatory regulatory timelines and procurement requirements specific to each region.
The food service industry is steadily moving towards a more environmentally conscious approach!
