Seattle's New Food Packaging Requirements
Food service businesses have stopped using expanded polystyrene (EPS or “Styrofoam”) which was banned from food service use in Seattle in January 2009. The next deadline is July 1, 2010, when all food service businesses must use approved compostable products, recyclable plastic, or recyclable plastic-coated paper products for all one-time-use food service ware.
When does the ban take effect?
Phase one of the ordinance applied only to expanded polystyrene (EPS, sometimes called “Styrofoam”). The foam ban took effect January 1, 2009.
Phase two of the ordinance applies to ALL throw-away food packaging and service ware. The ban on disposables takes effect July 1, 2010.
What should my business do? 
Now’s the time to sign up to have your food waste collected for composting and plan ahead for the mandatory switch from throwaway food service ware to compostable or recyclable alternatives on July 1, 2010.
Why switch to compostable products?
In addition to the negative environmental impacts of EPS foam and throw-away plastics, Seattle wants to compost as much food waste as possible. Compostable products allow your customers easy one-step disposal of food waste and service ware into compost rather than garbage containers in your restaurant.
Where can I find substitute products?
You will find information on compostable or recyclable alternatives wherever you buy food service products. If you choose to compost, you must use products that are approved compostable by the City of Seattle and the region’s major compost processor, Cedar Grove Composting.
Click here for a continually updated list of approved packaging products and information on manufacturers, and local distributors.
CAUTION: A large number of products advertised as “biodegradable” do not compost in the Seattle system. Because the intent of the City’s program is to minimize landfilling, products designed to be “biodegradable” in a landfill are not acceptable in Seattle. Be sure the products you buy are approved compostable.
How do I sign up for service?
For more information on how to set up recycling or compost service for your business, please visit our Seattle Commercial Waste and Recycling 101 page.
Additional questions? Call us at (206) 343-8505, or email help@resourceventure.org.
Resources
Order FREE Posters and Decals for Customer Dining Areas
Food Service Packaging Requirements Flyer (PDF)
Resources Flyer
Site Audit Checklist (PDF)
Foam Ban Flyer (PDF) with Chinese, Korean, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese translations
Program Links
Food Plus Compostables Event
Cedar Grove Approved Products
Food Packaging Disposables Ban (EPS Ban too) Ordinance
Green Eats Week
Video: Local Restaurants Adopt Green Practices
Seattle Public Utilities
Foam Ban Page
Related Links
San Francisco's new Universal Recycling & Composting Ordinance takes effect October 21, 2009
Video: San Francisco Thriving on 'Four-Course Compost'
