Single-Use Foodware Reduction Ordinance
Single-Use Foodware Reduction Ordinance
The Single-Use Foodware Reduction Working Group met six times between January and June 2022 to develop recommendations to reduce single-use foodware in our community. The working group was made up of business owners, members of the public, students, environmental advocates, and two Truckee Town Council Members. On August 9th, Town staff presented the working group recommendations to the Town Council, where the Council approved the recommendations and directed staff to draft an ordinance including the three policies below. Staff plans to bring the ordinance to Council for the first reading Fall 2022 and conduct a community and business outreach campaign to spread awareness of the new policy requirements and grant funding.
Working Group Recommendations:
- Ban the sale and distribution of expanded polystyrene (commonly known as Stryrofoam) – effective April 1, 2023
- Require reusable foodware for in-house dining – effective January 1, 2023
- Require businesses to charge a $0.25 fee on disposable takeout food containers and cups – effective January 1, 2024
How did we get here?
The Truckee community has expressed a desire for waste reduction policies, from environmental groups and student Envirolution Clubs advocating for action against waste and litter reduction.
Community & Business Workshops: A business workshop was held in August 2019 to get restaurant feedback on ideas to reduce the impact of waste. Over 14 food-service business representatives were in attendance. A community workshop was later held in October 2019 where over 65 community members were in attendance. Staff received feedback to develop policy recommendations for our community.
Working Group: At the February 11, 2020 Town Council Meeting, Keep Truckee Green staff presented their recommendations for policies to include in a Single-Use Foodware Reduction Ordinance. Town Council directed staff to form a working group to evaluate staff recommendations, and to put together an implementation plan for the ordinance. The working group met six times between January – June 2022.
Community Survey: Following the working group’s conclusion, staff conducted community outreach on the group’s recommendations. Over 480 survey responses were received providing feedback from community members and businesses. After considering the responses, staff presented the final recommendations and feedback to the Town Council for further consideration.
Who was on the working group?
The working group consisted of stakeholders representing all relevant groups, including three restaurant owners, one environmental advocate, two members of the public, two students, and two Town Council Members. The group’s goal was to develop equitable and effective policies to reduce excess single-use foodware waste in our community.
Additional Information
Working Group Meeting Details
1st Meeting – January 4th, 2022.
2nd Meeting – January 31st, 2022.
3rd Meeting – March 7th, 2022.
4th Meeting – April 4th, 2022.
5th Meeting – May 2nd, 2022.
6th Meeting – June 6th, 2022.
Town Council Meeting Details
August 9, 2022 Town Council Staff Report, Presentation, and Meeting Minutes