Single-use serviceware

Restricted single-use items: Knives, forks, spoons, chopsticks, cocktail picks, stirrers, straws, cold cup lids, sauce packets.
Beginning in 2022, businesses can no longer automatically include single-use items in customer orders.

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
  • Utensils (knives, forks, spoons, cocktail picks, chopsticks, splash sticks, and stirrers)
  • Straws
  • Condiment packages
  • Cup lids for cold beverages
  • Plates, bowls, cups, and other products used to contain food or beverages
  • Lids for hot beverages
  • Wrappers for takeout food items
  • Items provided by medical facilities
  • Napkins

Related PFAS initiatives

We are also addressing PFAS in food packaging by assessing alternatives that could be used. Starting in 2023, we will restrict PFAS in wraps and liners, pizza boxes, trays, food boats, and plates. We're currently assessing other products for further restrictions. This includes products like flat serviceware such as trays, open-top containers like french fry cartons and food boats, closed-top containers like clamshells, bowls, and other products.  

Learn more about PFAS in food packaging.

Understanding the new requirements


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

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.

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