Single-use serviceware

One trillion disposable food service items used annually in U.S.

Takeout, delivery, and casual dining typically come with single-use disposable serviceware often made of plastic. These knives, forks, spoons, cocktail picks, chopsticks, stirrers, condiment packets, beverage cup lids, and straws quickly add up. In fact, we use nearly one trillion disposable food service products each year in the United States.

To address the cost of this waste, starting in 2022, customers will have to verbally confirm that they want single-use items, or they must select items from self-service bins instead of having them automatically included with a food order. Single-use food and drink items included in this new law include plastic utensils, straws, condiment packages, and cup lids for cold beverages.

Excessive use of these items comes at great cost

Dependence on single-use items comes with numerous direct and indirect costs:

• Environmental costs from natural resource extraction, climate impacts, and plastic pollution
• Business costs to purchase and dispose of these items
• Taxpayer costs in solid waste management and litter clean-up
• Potential human health costs associated with PFAS, micro-plastics, and other harmful substances in single-use items
• Lost opportunity costs when we don’t create more sustainable ways to meet our needs without using something only once

Understanding the new requirements

More ways your business can reduce waste from single-use items

• Consider switching to durable serviceware items for dining in. In the long run, this can save you money in addition to reducing waste.
• If your local health department codes allow, promote reuse in your place of business through incentives for customers that bring their own durable reusable items.
• Check out this “Directory of Reuse Businesses,” compiled by Upstream Solutions. 
• Calculate your costs using Upstream Solutions’ “Single-Use to Reuse Saving Calculator.”
• Read Upstream Solutions’ “Reuse Wins” Report.

Education and outreach toolkit

Business owners and the public now have access to an education and outreach toolkit we developed to help people better understand the new law's requirements. It's designed for accessibility and includes an informational flyer, graphics, a web banner, and a social media image for you to share. Check back here often because we are adding material regularly. In January 2022, the food serviceware toolkit will be available in 18 languages.