Novato poised to adopt ban on plastic foodware

The Novato City Council advanced an ordinance this week that would ban businesses from offering plastic, single-use foodware.

If the council gives final approval to the ban on May 9, Novato would become the latest Marin community to adopt the restrictions developed by the Marin County government last year. Tiburon, San Anselmo, Mill Valley, Larkspur and Fairfax have already adopted or are poised to adopt the county’s rules, while Corte Madera and San Rafael are exploring the idea.

The ordinances take effect on Nov. 10.

“I think we all know that this is an evolving world, that this is a wonderful first step,” Mayor Susan Wernick said before the vote on Tuesday. “It’s always hard to change habits but these are all good habits to now entertain.”

The ordinance requires businesses to use natural-fiber compostable foodware that has been certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute.

Among the items targeted in the ordinance are forks, spoons, knives, napkins, cup sleeves, food wrappers, beverage trays, condiment containers, toothpicks and straws. Exempted products include aluminum and items where a compostable alternative is not available, such as plastic-lined soup bowls or coffee cups.

Restaurants would also be required to provide reusable foodware for customers who dine in and provide fiber-based foodware only upon request. Takeout cups would also come with a new 25-cent fee — similar to California’s fee for single-use grocery bags — which the business would keep. Customers who receive government-provided food aid through CalFresh/SNAP and WIC would be exempt from paying the fee.

Novato Sustainability Coordinator Gretchen Schubeck said there are no restrictions on how the businesses can use the fee revenue, but said it can be used for purposes such as purchasing reusable bags to sell to customers.

No business owners commented on the ordinance during the council meeting Tuesday.

Downtown Novato Business Association executive director Stephanie Koehler said earlier this month that many business owners either supported or understood the purpose behind the change. However, they were concerned about the higher price of compostable projects and sought to push the effective date further out to allow them time to begin the transition, she said.

“That being said, every restaurant owner that I’ve talked to, even the ones that are struggling, are saying, of course, we want to be part of the solution,” Koehler said. “It wasn’t a big fight, they were just sharing the impacts.”

Rhonda Kutter, an aide to Supervisor Dennis Rodoni, who sponsored the original county ban last year, praised the timing of the council’s decision, just a few days after Earth Day.

“I think it’s really exciting that we’re here kind of continuing Earth Day, looking at making some changes in our communities to make them healthier for everyone,” Kutter told the council.

Marin County Environmental Health Services will enforce the foodware ordinances through its inspection program for all Marin jurisdictions that adopt the county’s exact ordinance language.

Cities and towns that adopt the rules before May 10 — the one-year anniversary of the county adopting its ordinance — also avoid having to pay an on-boarding fee to the county for its enforcement. The fee, which is based on the number of businesses affected by the ordinance, would have been about $20,500 for Novato.

Information about the county’s ordinance, including a list of products affected by the rules, can be found at bit.ly/3nCOr6p.