On Nov. 8, Truckee Town Council adopted a Single-Use Foodware Reduction Ordinance. Starting Jan. 1, food vendors must provide reusable foodware for in-house dining and charge a $0.25 fee for each disposable takeout food container and cup provided.
Accessory foodware items must only be provided if requested by the customer. This includes utensils, chopsticks, condiment cups and packets, straws, stirrers, splash sticks, cocktail sticks, napkins, cup lids and cup sleeves. The ordinance will also include a ban on the sale and distribution of Stryrofoam starting on April 1, 2023.
A local analysis of litter collected from Truckee Litter Corps estimated that 68 percent of roadside litter in Truckee is foodware packaging. These products end up in local waterways and natural environments. Even when properly disposed of, they take up space in landfills and can emit greenhouse gases when they decompose.
Next, Town of Truckee staff will be developing a business grant program and a public outreach campaign. View the complete ordinance online. | keeptruckeegreen.org
