Resolution No. 2024-14 Home Compostable Disposable Food Service Ware Product List for 2025 - Approved 111224Page 1 of 2
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-14
A RESOLUTION of the City Council of Bainbridge Island,
Washington, approving a home compostable disposable food
service ware product list for 2025.
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2021-34 on November 9,
2021 amending Chapter 8.24 Disposable Food Service Ware and Waste Reduction of the
Bainbridge Island Municipal Code (BIMC) with changes that took effect on January 1,
2023; and
WHEREAS, on September 12, 2023, the City Council adopted Ordinance No.
2023-23 amending Chapter 8.24 of the Bainbridge Island Municipal Code to make
updated to BIMC 8.24 per feedback from the local business community and City staff;
and
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 2023-23 amending BIMC Chapter 8.24 calls for the
City Manager or their designee to establish for City Council review and adoption each
year a list of home compostable disposable food service ware items that are required; and
WHEREAS, on November 14, 2023, a 2024 Home Compostable Disposable
Food Service Ware Product List was developed by City staff based on the availability,
cost, and performance criteria outlined in Ordinance No. 2023-23 and that list was shared
with the public for feedback; and
WHEREAS, in June 2024, City staff reviewed the availability, cost, and
performance criteria outlined in Ordinance No. 2023-23 to develop a 2025 Home
Compostable Disposable Food Service Ware Product list; and
WHEREAS, on November 12, 2024, City Council recommended approval of the
2025 Home Compostable Disposable Food Service Ware Product List.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. There is established a 2025 home compostable product list that
includes the following 16 items:
• Clamshell containers
• Cone cups
• Cup sleeves
• Cups for hot beverages
• Cutlery (forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks, including paper-bundled sets)
• Drinking straws
• Food boxes/folded paper takeout boxes with polylactic acid (PLA) lining
• Food contact paper/wax paper
• Napkins
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•Pizza boxes (takeout)
•Platters (large oval plates)
•Salad bowls
•Serving tongs
•Stirrers
•Takeout/catering trays/breakfast platters (multiple compartments or one
large compartment)
•Tasting spoons
Section 2. This list shall be posted on the City’s website and the City Manager or
their designee shall engage in outreach efforts to advise retail food establishments of any
amendments to the list.
Section 3. The City Council may direct the City Manager to amend this list from
time-to-time as new items become available or discontinued.
Section 4. If any one or more section, subsection, or sentences of this resolution
are held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the
remaining portion of this resolution and the same shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 5. This resolution shall take effect January 1, 2025.
PASSED by the City Council this 12th day of November, 2024.
APPROVED by the Mayor this 12th day of November, 2024.
Joe Deets, Mayor
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATE:
By: _____________________
Christine Brown, MMC, City Clerk
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: November 8, 2024
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: November 12, 2024
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-14
Date: July 24, 2024 To: City Council, Blair King, City Manager From: Adam Nebenzahl, Management Analyst
Subject: 2025 Home Compostable Disposable Food Service Ware Product List
Executive Summary: Staff reviewed the list of home compostable products available, which was based on the methodology approved by the City Council in 2023. The methodology document is attached to this memorandum. After considering current BPI-certi�ied products in terms of their availability, cost, and performance, Staff recommends that no changes be made to the product list for 2025.
Overview: In 2023, the City Council passed Ordinance 2023-23, which amended BIMC Chapter 8.24. This ordinance requires the City Manager or their designee to establish a list of home compostable disposable food service ware items that are required for review and adoption by the City Council each year. Subsequently, City staff developed a 2024 home compostable disposable food service ware product list based on the availability, cost, and performance criteria outlined in Ordinance 2023-23. The list was then made available to the public for feedback from September to October of the same year. On November 28, 2023, the City Council passed Resolution 2023-11, approving a home compostable disposable food service ware product list for 2024. In June 2024, Staff reviewed the 2024 home compostable disposable food service ware product list using the methodology previously approved by the City Council. They concluded that there have been no signi�icant changes in product availability, cost, or performance between the 2023 and 2024 review periods. Therefore, Staff recommends no changes to the product list for 2025.
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Proposed Home Compostable Food Service Ware
Products for 2025
July 24, 2024
3
Table of Contents
Summary ................................................................................................................................................. 3
Products Reviewed for Inclusion in the Home Compostable Product List .................................................. 7
Recommendation for Required Home Compostable Food Service Ware Products .................................... 9
BPI Certification and Previous Exemption Gaps ...................................................................................... 13
Timing for Implementation of Product List Requirements ...................................................................... 13
Appendix A: Proposed Methodology for Evaluating Home Compostable Food Service Ware Products .... 14
Appendix B: Review of Product Availability – List of Manufacturers for Home Compostable Products .... 19
Appendix C: Review of Cost Comparison – Cost Range for Products ....................................................... 21
Summary
Per Ordinance No. 2023-24, the City will “establish a list of home compostable disposable food
service ware items that are required to be provided” by retail food establishments in the City of
Bainbridge Island. The City intends to review and update this product list on an annual basis to
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reflect market changes and public feedback. To identify criteria to be used to evaluate products
for inclusion in a list, the City reviewed requirements and associated research from other
municipalities and government organizations with similar requirements for retail food service
establishments (See Appendix A).
Specifically, City staff reviewed the requirements for reducing single-use plastic waste in a retail
food establishment setting from the following organizations and municipalities:
• Washington State Department of Ecology
• City of Seattle
• City of Bellingham
• San Mateo County
• City of Berkeley
Based on a review of these requirements, the City used the following criteria to evaluate food
service ware products required in a home compostable format:
• Availability – Products with at least two manufacturers that currently make suitable and readily
commercially available home compostable alternatives.
• Cost – Products with a home compostable version that costs no more than 15% compared to the
industrial compostable equivalent (based on a range of product sizes and costs).
• Performance – Products that meet Department of Ecology PFAS Alternative assessments leak
and grease resistance standards and/or have been evaluated by City staff in terms of the number
and type of complaints received from local businesses regarding home compostable product
deficiencies that may cause harm to people or property.
Staff then developed a list of proposed products for inclusion in the initial, Phase 1, list based on
these criteria and a review of disposable food service ware items typically used on Bainbridge
Island. A recommended list of 16 products reviewed using the described methodology is
provided in Table 1. This list was developed based on a review of:
• two Department of Ecology (“Ecology”) assessments, Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Food
Packaging Alternatives Assessment, Safer Alternatives to PFAS in Food Packaging, and
• available product manufacturers,
• product cost comparisons, and
• complaints, relevant to the defined performance criterion, received from Bainbridge Island
businesses.
Please note: this list is not comprehensive but was developed through staff research. Other
brands and products may exist that are not accounted for in this document.
Staff proposes that the list of products identified in Table 1 be effective for one year (through
December 31, 2025).
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Table 1. List of recommended products proposed for required home compostable food service
ware products in 2025.
Image Product Image Product
Hot Beverage cups
Food contact
paper/wax paper
Clamshells
Napkins
Cup sleeves
Pizza boxes
(takeout)
Cone cups
Platters (large oval
plates)
Cutlery (forks, knives,
spoons, chopsticks,
including paper-
bundled sets)
Salad bowls
Drinking straws
Serving tongs
Food boxes/folded
paper takeout boxes
with PLA lining
Stirrers
Image Product Image Product
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Takeou t/catering
trays/breakfast
platters (multiple
compartments or
one large
compartment)
Tasting spoons
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Products Reviewed for Inclusion in the Home Compostable Product List
Staff reviewed 43 disposable food service ware products that are commonly found at retail food
establishments on Bainbridge Island. These products were evaluated using the availability, cost
and performance criteria, as summarized in Table 2. Items in bold italics are recommended for
inclusion in the initial list of required home compostable food service ware products.
Table 2. Analysis of products proposed for inclusion in the City’s list of required home
compostable food service ware products in 2025.
Color Legend Meets criteria Does not meet
criteria
Unknown, Not
Applicable
Product
Home
compostable
options
available from
at least two
manufacturers?*
(Y/N)
Home
compostable
version in the
approved cost
range?
(Y/N)
Performance/
durability
complaints
received from
businesses?**
(Y/N)
Meets DOE
performance
standards?
(Y/N)
Bakery packaging (pop-up boxes, bakery
boxes with see-through film) N N/A N N/A
Beverage cups Y Y N N/A
Beverage cup lids N Y N N/A
Burrito bowls Y N N N/A
Burrito bowl lids N Y N N/A
Clamshells Y Y N N/A
Cone cups Y Y N Y (grease)
Y (leak)
Chopsticks Y Y N N/A
Cup sleeves Y Y N Y (grease)
N (leak)
Cutlery sets (paper-bundled)*** Y+ Y N N/A
Drinking straws Y Y N N/A
Food boat trays Y N N N/A
Food boxes/folded paper takeout boxes
with PLA lining Y Y N N/A
Food contact paper/wax paper Y Y N Y (grease)
N (leak)
Forks Y+ Y N N/A
Fry cups Y N N N/A
Knives Y+ Y N N/A
Lunch trays (flat tray, no lid) N Y N N/A
Miniware (3.5 inches or smaller plates) N Y N N/A
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Product
Home
compostable
options
available from at
least two
manufacturers?*
(Y/N)
Home
compostable
version in the
approved cost
range?
(Y/N)
Performance/
durability
complaints
received from
businesses?**
(Y/N)
Meets DOE
performance
standards?
(Y/N)
Napkins Y+ Y N N/A
Open top hot food containers Y N Y N (grease)
N (leak)
Open top hot food container lids Y N Y N/A
Open top cold food container Y N N N/A
Open top cold food container lids Y N N N/A
Pizza boxes (takeout) Y Y N N (grease)
Y (leak)
Plates Y Y N N (grease)
N (leak)
Platters (large oval plates) Y Y N N/A
Salad bowls Y Y N N/A
Salad bowl lids N Y N N/A
Sandwich containers N N/A N N/A
Serving tongs Y Y N N/A
Serving utensils (spoon and fork) N Y N N/A
Single serving bowls (soups, salads,
desserts, etc.) Y Y N N (grease)
Y (leak)
Soda spoons for thick drinks N N/A N N/A
Souffle cups for condiments Y Y Y N (grease)
Y (leak)
Souffle cups for ice cream Y N N N/A
Souffle cups for hot foods Y N N N/A
Souffle cup lids N N N N/A
Spoons Y+ Y N N/A
Stirrers Y+ Y N N/A
Takeout/catering trays/breakfast platters
(multiple compartments or one large
compartment)
Y Y N N/A
Takeout/c atering tray/breakfast platter lids N Y N N/A
Tasting spoons Y Y N N/A
*Per the criteria outlined in BIMC 8.24.
**Only those complaints received from businesses through June 30, 2023, that related to functionality and could
result in harm to property or people were listed in this evaluation.
***Note that RCW 70A.245.080 prohibits plastic-bundled disposable utensils, effective January 1, 2022.
Products sold where the bundled container is made of paper are allowed.
+Products made with natural fibers and PFAS free are available. However, BPI does not certify these products
because they are made of natural wood. Thus, they are considered to meet the home compostable standard for the
City with a caveat that these items must be made of natural fibers and PFAS free.
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Recommendation for Required Home Compostable Food Service Ware
Products
Based on the review of criteria in Table 2, Staff recommends 16 products for the initial list of
disposable food service ware items required in a home compostable form, as listed in Table 3.
Note: Per BIMC 8.24, if a bioplastic disposable food service ware product is certified by OK
Compost HOME, it is also acceptable.
Table 3. List of recommended products, with reasoning, proposed for the City’s list of required home
compostable food service ware products in 2025.
Image Product Reasoning
Hot Beverage cups
Hot Beverage cups meet all three product
criteria. Note: this does not include clear plastic
cups that were not on the 2024 Required Home
Compostable List.
Clamshells Clamshells meet all three product criteria.
Cup sleeves
Cup sleeves do not meet all three product
criteria (they did not pass the Ecology leak
resistance review). However, because these
sleeves serve as a layer on the outside of a cup,
and their intended purpose is not to prevent
leaks, they are recommended for inclusion in the
list of home compostable products.
Cone cups Cone cups, typically used for iced desserts and
water, meet all three product criteria.
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Image Product Reasoning
Cutlery (forks, knives,
spoons, chopsticks
including paper-
bundled sets)
Cutlery (forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks,
including paper-bundled sets) meets all three
product criteria. However, there is no BPI or
other third-party certification for natural wood
utensils, per the criteria outlined in BIMC 8.24.
Because third parties do not certify natural
wood, staff recommends a requirement for
cutlery that is made of natural fibers and PFAS
free.
Drinking straws Drinking straws meet all three product criteria.
Food boxes/folded
paper takeout boxes
with PLA lining
Food boxes/folded paper takeout boxes with PLA
lining meet all three product criteria.
Food contact
paper/wax paper
Food contact paper/wax paper does not meet all
product criteria (they did not pass the Ecology
leak resistance review). However, the intended
purpose of these products is not to prevent
leaks, but to provide grease resistance and/or
provide a layer of protection between the
customer and food. Thus, this product is
recommended for inclusion on the product list.
Napkins Napkins meet all three product criteria.
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Image Product Reasoning
Pizza boxes (takeout)
Pizza boxes (takeout) do not meet all product
criteria (they did not pass the Ecology grease
resistance review). However, the allowance for
the use of aluminum foil for hot foods in BIMC
8.24, and the availability of home compostable
food contact paper, is anticipated to provide
sufficient grease resistance. Note: the
requirement for home compostable pizza boxes
only applies to takeout pizza and not take-and-bake
pizza boxes with a see-through window.
Platters (large oval
plates)
Platters (large oval plates) meet all three
product criteria.
Salad bowls
Salad bowls meet all three product criteria.
Note: this does not include lids for to-go salad
bowls.
Serving tongs Serving tongs meet all three product criteria.
Stirrers
Stirrers meet all three product criteria.
However, there is no BPI or other third-party
certification for wood utensils, per the criteria
outlined in BIMC 8.24. Because third parties do
not certify natural wood, staff recommends a
requirement for wood stirrers that are made of
natural fibers and PFAS free.
Takeou t/catering
trays/breakfast platters
(multiple compartments
or one large
compartment)
Takeout/catering trays/breakfast platters
(multiple compartments or one large
compartment) meet all three product criteria.
Note: this includes molded fiber breakfast
platters that were temporarily exempted
through December 31, 2023.
Tasting spoons Tasting spoons meet all three product criteria.
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BPI Certification and Previous Exemption Gaps
BIMC 8.24 currently requires that products meet three key criteria to qualify as “home compostable”:
1. Comprised of a natural fiber, and
2. Free of all intentionally added fluorinated chemicals (PFAS-free), and
3. Certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) and/or certified by OK Compost HOME
There are some items for which there is no BPI certification currently available. In such cases, staff
recommends that products are required to be made of natural fibers and PFAS-free. This includes the following
items from the proposed list of home compostable products for 2024: cutlery, drinking straws, napkins, and
stirrers. All these items can be composted when made from a natural fiber as defined in BIMC 8.24.
Five products on this list were previously approved for temporary exemptions to the home compostable
requirements through the end of 2023: cold (clear plastic) beverage cups, salad bowls, natural wooden utensils
(fork, knife, spoon), paper straws, and natural wooden stirrers. Cold cups and salad bowls were exempted due
to stated business needs for clear, see-through containers for which there are currently no products available
that meet the City’s home compostable standards. In this assessment, staff considered that both hot and cold
beverages could be served in non-see through, home compostable cups, which are readily available and meet
all three product criteria. Likewise, non -see-through home compostable salad bowls are readily available and
meet all three product criteria.
Natural wooden utensils, paper straws, and natural wooden stirrers were previously exempted because they
are made of natural products that are home compostable but are not currently eligible for certification by BPI.
Staff recommends that these items, be included in the list of home compostable products for 2024, with a
note that they only need to be made of natural fibers and PFAS-free.
Timing for Implementation of Product List Requirements
Upon adoption of the home compostable product list by the City Council, implementation of the new
requirements will begin on the first of January of the following calendar year. This will allow time for City staff
to conduct outreach to local businesses about new product requirements and for businesses to plan
accordingly. Staff will analyze single-use food service ware items on a yearly basis and propose updates to add
or remove products from the home compostable product list based upon a review of the three product criteria
(availability, cost, and performance) and any new requests or complaints received from local businesses. The
City Council will review and approve a new iteration of the home compostable product list on an annual basis.
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Appendix A: Proposed Methodology for Evaluating Home Compostable Food Service
Ware Products
Proposed Methodology for Evaluating Home Compostable Food Service Ware
Products: Phased Approach
May 24, 2023
SUMMARY
The City is considering a phased approach to the implementation of home compostable, disposable food
service ware products required for use by retail food establishments. To determine what criteria will be used to
evaluate products for inclusion in a phased list, the City reviewed requirements and associated research from
other municipalities and government organizations with similar requirements for retail food service
establishments.
Specifically, City staff reviewed the requirements for reducing single-use plastic waste in a retail food
establishment setting from the following organizations and municipalities:
• Washington State Department of Ecology
• City of Seattle
• City of Bellingham
• San Mateo County
• City of Berkeley
Based on a review of these regulations, City staff recommends using the following criteria to develop a list of
required home compostable products in a phased approach:
• Availability – Products with at least two manufacturers that currently make suitable and readily commercially
available home compostable alternatives.
• Cost – Products with a home compostable version that costs less than 15% more than the industrial compostable
equivalent (based on a range of product sizes and costs).
• Performance – Products that meet Department of Ecology PFAS Alternative assessments leak and grease
resistance standards and/or have been evaluated by staff in terms of the number and type of complaints
received from local businesses (i.e., product failures that may cause harm to people or property).
Staff found that no other organization is doing the same phased approach for home compostable food service
ware as the City. Therefore, the City’s methodology is based on best practices taken from these organizations.
REVIEW OF OTHER POLICIES & REGULATIONS
Washington State Department of Ecology PFAS Alternative Assessments
The Department of Ecology (“Ecology”) began the process of banning food packaging containing Per- and
Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) in phases. As of February 2023, wraps, plates, food boats, and pizza boxes
used in Washington State were required to be PFAS free. Beginning in May 2024, the following items will be
required to be PFAS free: bags and sleeves, bowls, flat service ware, including items like plates and trays; open-
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top containers, including items like French fry carton and food cups; and closed containers, including items like
clamshells. Ecology chose these products through two assessments, Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in
Food Packaging Alternatives Assessment, published in 2021, and Safer Alternatives to PFAS in Food Packaging,
published in 2022. These assessments looked at the availability, cost, and performance of products. Table 1
provides a summary of how Ecology defined each criterion in both assessments, per staff review of those
published assessments.
Table 1. Summary of Availability, Cost and Performance Assessments for Ecology
Availability Cost Performance
Assessment 1: Readily available
and cost comparable for the
end-users of those food
packaging products.
Assessment 1: 10% or
less threshold than a
product containing
PFAS.
Assessment 1: Ecology looked at the ability of a
product to resist the permeation of grease
through a substrate as evidenced by a
reduction or lack of spotting, staining, or
spreading; and the ability of a product to resist
grease or other fluid by either reduced
permeation and transfer through the substrate,
or the ability to resist leaks through folds or
seals (e.g., in folded paperboard products).
Assessment 2: Looked at the
alternative substances
manufacturers use in place of
PFAS in the food packaging
applications under investigation.
They also continued to look for
reports or other evidence of
industry concerns about the
supply of any alternative
substances.
Assessment 2: 15% or
less threshold than a
product containing
PFAS.
Assessment 2: Ecology used the following
questions to determine if the alternative
substances being evaluated could be used to
make products that meet their performance
standards:
1. Is the alternative being used for the same
or a similar function?
2. Is the alternative available on the
commercial market?
3. Do promotional materials state the
alternative provides the desired function?
City of Seattle
The City of Seattle requires all food service businesses to use recyclable or compostable packaging and service
ware alternatives to all disposable food service ware unless temporarily exempted by their Director’s rule. This
applies to all food service businesses, including restaurants, grocery stores, delis, coffee shops, food trucks,
and institutional cafeterias. In addition, businesses with customer disposal stations where customers discard
single-use packaging must provide options to collect recyclable and compostable packaging in clearly labeled
bins and these businesses must sign up for composting and recycling service offered by a collection service
provider. City staff contacted City of Seattle staff to discuss how and if they evaluated availability, cost, and
performance as factors in the passage of their ordinance. Their use of these factors is summarized in Table 2.
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Table 2. Review of Availability, Cost and Performance Criteria for the City of Seattle
Availability Cost Performance
The City does not look specifically at the
number of manufacturers and vendors
creating compostable disposable food
service ware. They utilize relationships
with vendors, manufacturers, and
distributors to understand the market of
industrial compostable products before
requiring products to be compostable.
Cost was discussed
during the original
ordinance passing in
2010 but no longer is
considered when
determining temporary
exemptions.
The City utilizes relationships with
vendors, manufacturers, and
distributors to understand the
specifications of products and ensure
that they meet certain standards (heat
resistance, grease resistance, etc.)
before requiring products to be
compostable.
City of Bellingham
The City of Bellingham adopted an ordinance in 2022 prohibiting retail establishments from selling or providing
food and beverage for consumption on or off the premises in or with single-use plastic food service products.
Prepackaged foods in plastic packaging may continue to be sold by food service establishments. Establishments
are encouraged to use bulk dispensers for condiments and sauces. Reusable package systems that employ
products made of durable plastic and/or other materials that are intended for and capable of being reused are
not prohibited by the ordinance. Staff reached out to the City of Bellingham and their partner, Sustainable
Connections, to see if they considered any specific criteria regarding product availability, cost, performance to
develop their requirements but did not receive a response.
City of Berkeley
The City of Berkeley passed an ordinance allowing disposable service ware for “to-go” orders, but all take-out
service ware must be BPI-Certified Compostable. Additionally, n o single -use petroleum plastic is allowed. City
staff contacted City of Berkeley staff to discuss how and if they evaluated availability, cost, and performance as
factors in the passage of their ordinance. Their use of these factors is summarized in Table 3.
Table 3. Review of Availability, Cost and Performance Criteria for the City of Berkeley
Availability Cost Performance
City ordinance specifically calls
out BPI-certified products,
offering a wide variety of
products that does not limit
ordinance implementation. The
City did not conduct any
research prior to
implementation regarding the
number of manufacturers or
vendors available.
City ordinance allows the business
owner to charge a $0.25 fee for
each cup/container to recoup the
increased cost of purchasing the
BPI certified compostables. The
County offers a waiver for
temporary exemption which
includes an option for economic
hardship and lack of available
compostable alternatives. The City
did not consider a cost increase
threshold in developing the BPI-
Certified Compostable
requirements.
The City did not conduct any
performance testing of products
prior to implementation. City
Council visited businesses to better
understand their needs and to
assess how different business
operations required different shapes
and sizes of service ware. Ultimately,
the City decided BPI-certification set
a suitable minimum level of
performance requirement for
implementation.
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San Mateo County
The County of San Mateo passed an ordinance in 2020 requiring the use of natural fiber-based, compostable
materials in unincorporated areas:
• Required for disposable plates, bowls, cups, food trays/boats, hinged/lidded containers, boxes, deli containers,
and other containers. These fiber items must be PFAS free. Compostable plastic lining (only) is okay for the above
items, but must be approved by BPI, CMA, or another 3rd party approved by the County.
• Required for the following disposable side items (a.k.a. accessories) and their packaging, if any: straw, stirrers,
utensils, cocktail/toothpicks.
That ordinance prohibited the use of plastic for most disposable food ware:
• Disposable food ware made from traditional plastic (petroleum-based) or compostable plastic (a.k.a. bioplastics,
PLA, etc.) are not allowed.
• No Styrofoam.
• Accessories distributed upon request and/or at dispense that dispense one item at a time. Refillable condiment
dispensers are allowed.
• Accessories cannot be bundled.
City staff contacted County of San Mateo staff to discuss how and if they evaluated availability, cost, and
performance as factors in the passage of their ordinance. Their use of these factors is summarized in Table 4.
Table 4. Review of Availability, Cost and Performance Criteria for the County of San Mateo
Availability Cost Performance
The County did not look
specifically at the number of
manufacturers and vendors
creating disposable food service
ware. They looked at general
availability of products from
websites like worldcentric.com.
The County did not analyze cost
when passing their ordinance.
They review cost considerations
in reviewing requests for
exemptions from impacted
businesses.
The County did not analyze
performance when deciding which
products must be fiber based. They
hired an educational consultant to
work with businesses to find
alternatives before submitting an
exemption request.
CITY OF BAINBRIDGE ISLAND EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDED METHODOLOGY
Based on an evaluation of other municipal waste reduction/pollution prevention regulations related to retail
food establishments, City staff recommends using the following criteria to develop a list of required home
compostable products in a phased approach:
• Availability – how many manufacturers are currently producing a home compostable version of a food service
ware item?
• Cost – How much is the increase in cost to switch from an industrial compostable product to a home
compostable version?
• Performance – Does the home compostable food service ware product support its intended use or are there
functional problems with the products available (e.g., are they leak resistant; can they withstand extreme
temperatures/heavy, wet, oily foods.)?
Below is a proposed definition for each of these criteria.
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Availability
BIMC 8.24 currently requires all disposable food service ware to be home compostable. Exemptions are only
granted where there are not at least two vendors that make suitable and readily commercially available home
compostable alternatives to the disposable food service item for which the exemption is being sought. Staff
recommends using similar criteria to evaluate the availability of home compostable products for inclusion in a
phased list. Specifically, availability would be defined as products with at least two manufacturers that
currently make suitable and readily commercially available home compostable alternatives.
Cost
Staff have received feedback from businesses that home compostable products can cost 100% more compared
to non-home compostable products. Staff recommends that cost be a criterion in evaluating home
compostable products for inclusion in a phased list. Specifically, any product with a home compostable version
that costs less than 15% more than an industrial compostable equivalent (based on a range of product sizes
and costs) will be considered as viable for purchase. Staff support this approach for two reasons. First, this
decision aligns with Ecology’s assessment. Second, the ordinance requires that any product that is not home
compostable must either be industrial compostable or eligible to be accepted for recycling by the primary
collection hauler offering service to Bainbridge Island residents of businesses. Therefore, comparing products
between home compostable and industrial compostable is the preferred alternative.
Performance
Staff have received feedback from businesses that certain home compostable products are not leak resistant to
extreme temperatures and particularly wet, dense, and/or oily foods. Staff recommends that performance be a
criterion in evaluating home compostable products for inclusion in a phased list. Specifically, staff recommends
including products that meet the Department of Ecology PFAS Alternative assessments level of leak and grease
resistance. Additionally, staff recommend the City consider the number and types of complaints about product
performance in evaluating home compostable product performance (i.e., product failures that may cause harm
to people or property).
19
Appendix B: Review of Product Availability – List of Manufacturers for Home
Compostable Products
Note: This list is not comprehensive but was developed through staff research. Other brands and products may
exist that are not accounted for in this table.
Table 4. List of manufacture availability of products proposed for the City’s list of required home compostable
food service ware products in 2025.
Product Number of
manufacturers Manufacturers
Bakery packaging (pop-up boxes,
bakery boxes with see-through film) 0 N/A
Beverage cup lids 1 NoTree
Beverage cups 6 Ecotainer, Worldcentric, Planet+, Vegware, Responsible
Products, NatureStar
Burrito bowl lids 1 World Centric
Burrito bowls 2 Sabert, World Centric
Chopsticks 3 Green Paper Products, Emperor’s Select, Kari-Out
Company
Clamshells 3 Tellus, StalkMarket, World Centric
Cone cups 2 GenPak, Bare by Solo
Cup sleeves 3 StalkMarket, World Centric, Ecotainer
Cutlery sets (paper-bundled) 2 Perfect Stix, World Centric
Drinking straws 6 StalkMarket, WorldCentric, Fineline, Victoria Bay,
EcoSource, Aardvark
Food boat trays 3 Specialty Quality Packaging, EcoProducts, EcoChoice
Food boxes/folded paper takeout
boxes with PLA lining 3 World Centric, Vegware, EcoChoice
Food contact paper/wax paper 7
Vegware, GreenWacks, EcoProducts, McNairn Packaging,
BiOrigin Specialty Products, Ahlstrom, Reynolds
Consumer Products
Forks 2 Vegware, World Centric
Fry cups 2 World Centric, EcoProducts
Knives 2 Vegware, World Centric
Lunch trays (flat tray, no lid) 1 Fineline
Miniware (3.5 inches or smaller
plates) 1 Fineline
Napkins 6 EarthWise, Novex, World Centric, TORK, Dixie, Gordon
Food Service
Open top cold food containers 4 Responsible Products, World Centric, Ecotainer,
EcoChoice
Open top cold food container lids 3 Planet+, World Centric, EcoChoice
Open top hot food container lids 3 Planet+, World Centric, EcoChoice
20
Product Number of
manufacturers Manufacturers
Open top hot food containers 4 Planet+, Responsible Products, World Centric, Ecotainer,
EcoChoice
Pizza boxes 3 World Centric, Choice Kraft, Green Box
Plates 8 Tellus, Responsible Products, World Centric, StalkMarket,
EcoProducts, Fineline, Ecochoice, Vegware
Platters (large oval plates) 2 Fineline, EcoProducts
Salad bowl lids 1 World Centric
Salad bowls 3 Responsible Products, Vegware, World Centric
Sandwich containers 0 N/A
Serving tongs 2 Packnwood, Restaurantware
Serving utensils (spoon and fork) 1 World Centric
Single serving bowls (soups, salads,
desserts, etc.) 5 World Centric, Vegware, Tellus, Responsible Products,
Fineline
Soda spoons for thick drinks 0 N/A
Souffle cups for condiments 4 World Centric, StalkMarket, GenPack, Fineline
Souffle cups for hot foods 4 World Centric, StalkMarket, GenPack, Fineline
Souffle cups for ice cream 4 World Centric, StalkMarket, GenPack, Fineline
Souffle cup lids 1 World Centric
Spoons 2 Vegware, World Centric
Stirrers 3 amerCare Royal, EcoProducts, SmartPack, HAY! Straws
Takeou t/catering trays/breakfast
platters (multiple, compartments or
one large compartment)
3 Fineline, World Centric
Takeout/c atering tray/breakfast
platter lids 1 World Centric
Tasting spoons 3 Perfect Stix, Fineline, World Centric
21
Appendix C: Review of Cost Comparison – Cost Range for Products
Products were evaluated to determine if they met the requirement for a home compostable product that cost
less than 15% more than the industrial compostable alternative. Percent difference is calculated via the
midpoint of the two product ranges. If a percentage is negative, it means that the midpoint of the home
compostable product is less expensive than the industrial compostable product option. Cells highlighted in
green meet the home compostable product requirements for costing less than 15% more than the industrial
compostable product alternative. If an industrial compostable product alternative was not available, a
recyclable and/or “standard” (meaning those that do not meet the previous three options) product option was
used in the cost comparison.
Notes:
• This list is not comprehensive but was developed through staff research. Other brands and products may exist that
are not accounted for in this table.
• Products reviewed can be bought in bulk, and came from the following websites: https://greenpaperproducts.com/;
https://www.ecoproductsstore.com/; or https://www.webstaurantstore.com/.
• Prices that do not have a range mean that one or more manufacturers are selling the same product at the same size
and price.
Table 5. List of price comparison of products proposed for the City’s list of required home compostable food
service ware products in 2025.
Symbol Legend
*As of July 2024
ⴕ Industrial compostable
‡ Petroleum plastic
§ Cloth
# Aluminum
Product Other product
cost (per item)*
Home compostable
product cost (per
item)*
Percent difference
Bakery packaging (pop-up
boxes, bakery boxes with
see-through film)
$0.59-$1.24 N/A N/A
Beverage cup lids $0.08-$0.36ⴕ $0.09-$0.29 -14.63%
Burrito bowl lids $0.26-$0.49ⴕ $0.30 -22.22%
Burrito bowls $0.09-$0.14# $0.24-$0.53 108%
Chopsticks $0.49-$1.02ⴕ $0.03-$0.05 -179.87%
Clamshells $0.38-$0.81ⴕ $0.25-$0.54 -40.40%
Cone cups $0.24-$0.26‡ $0.02-$0.03 -163.64%
Cup sleeves $0.06-$0.09ⴕ $0.06-$0.09 0.00%
Cutlery sets $0.26-$0.70ⴕ $0.30-$0.40 -31.33%
Drinking straws $0.04-$0.07ⴕ $0.02-$0.07 -20%
Food boat trays $0.03-$0.23ⴕ $0.05-$0.26 17.54%
22
Product Other product cost
(per item)*
Home compostable
product cost (per
item)*
Percent difference
Food boxes/folded
paper takeout boxes
with PLA lining
$0.22-$0.89ⴕ $0.26-$0.89 3.54%
Food contact
paper/wax paper $0.04-$0.06# $0.03-$0.06 -10.53%
Forks $0.06-$0.13ⴕ $0.07 -30.30%
Fry cups $0.04-$0.10ⴕ $0.17-$0.21 92.31%
Knives $0.06-$0.13ⴕ $0.07 -30.30%
Lunch trays (flat tray,
no lid) $0.24-$1.09ⴕ $0.23-$0.54 -53.33%
Miniware (3.5 inches
or smaller plates) $0.83-$0.88ⴕ $0.15 -140.30%
Napkins $1.46-$2.96§ $0.01-$0.04 -195.53%
Open top cold food
containers $0.06-$0.34ⴕ $0.14-$0.43 35.05%
Open top cold food
container lids $0.06-$0.20ⴕ $0.12-$0.38 63.16%
Open top hot food
container lids $0.06-$0.20ⴕ $0.12-$0.38 63.16%
Open top hot food
containers $0.06-$0.34ⴕ $0.14-$0.43 35.05%
Pizza boxes $0.59ⴕ $0.18-$0.60 -40.82%
Plates $0.09-$0.88ⴕ $0.09-$0.38 -53.59%
Platters (large oval
plates) $0.38-$1.86‡ $0.27-$0.35 -113.29%
Salad bowl lids $0.23-$0.34ⴕ $0.21 -30.30%
Salad bowls $0.20-$0.43ⴕ $0.10-$0.32 -40.00%
Sandwich containers $0.14-$0.17‡ N/A N/A
Serving tongs $0.72-$3.56‡ $0.35-$1.83 -65.02%
Serving utensils (spoon
and fork) $0.22-$0.46‡ $0.37 8.45%
Single serving bowls
(soups, salads,
desserts, etc.)
$0.55ⴕ $0.09-$0.60 -45.81%
Soda spoons for thick
drinks $0.02-$0.03‡ N/A N/A
Souffle cups for
condiments $0.05-$0.06ⴕ $0.03-$0.07 -9.52%
Souffle cups for hot
foods $0.06-$0.10ⴕ $0.08-$0.11 17.14%
Souffle cups for ice
cream $0.06-$0.10ⴕ $0.08-$0.11 17.14%
Souffle cup lids $0.03-$0.06ⴕ $0.04-$0.15 71.43%
Spoons $0.06-$0.14ⴕ $0.06-$0.08 -35.29%
Stirrers $0.01-$0.12‡ $0.01 -146.67%
23
Product Other product cost
(per item)*
Home compostable
product cost (per
item)*
Percent difference
Takeou t/catering
trays/breakfast platters
(multiple,
compartments or one
large compartment)
$0.28-$0.51 $0.18-$0.54 -9.27%
Takeou t/catering
trays/breakfast platters
lids
$0.63-$2.84ⴕ $0.62-$0.63 -106.54%
Tasting spoons $0.68ⴕ $0.15 -127.71%