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Resolution No. 2025-17 Home Compostable Disposable Food Service Ware Product List for 2026Page 1 of 2 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-17 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, updating BIMC 8.24 pursuant to 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 September 2025, 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 18, 2025, City Council recommended approval of the 2026 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 2026 home compostable product list that includes the following 16 items: •Burrito Bowls •Clamshell containers •Cone cups •Cup sleeves •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 •Pizza boxes (takeout) Page 2 of 2 •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, 2026. PASSED by the City Council this 18th day of November, 2025. APPROVED by the Mayor this 18th day of November, 2025. Ashley Mathews, Mayor ATTEST/AUTHENTICATE: By: _____________________ Christine Brown, MMC, City Clerk FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: November 14, 2025 PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: November 18, 2025 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-17 C IT Y O F B AI N BR ID G E I SL AN D Date: September 15, 2025 To: City Council, Blair King, City Manager From: Adam Nebenzahl, Management Analyst Subject: 2026 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-certified products in terms of their availability, cost, performance, and real life situations, Staff recommends the following be made to the product list for 2026: • Add burrito bowls as an increase in companies now create burrito bowls at competitive prices to alternatives • Remove hot beverage cups as the price has increased and is no longer within the 15% range as outlined by the methodology 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 and 2025 home compostable disposable food service ware product list based on the availability, cost, and performance criteria outlined in Ordinance 2023-23. These lists were approved by the City Council in 2023 and 2024, respectively.. On November 28, 2023, the City Council passed Resolution 2023-11, approving a home compostable disposable food service ware product list for 2024. In September, Staff reviewed the home compostable disposable food service ware product list for 2026 using the methodology previously approved by the City Council. The following changes are being proposed based on availability, cost, performance, and real life situations: • Remove serving tongs as catering companies use reusable serving tongs and not disposable single-use 2 • Add burrito bowls as an increase in companies now create burrito bowls at competitive prices to alternatives • Remove hot beverage cups as the price has increased and is no longer withing the 15% range as outlined by the methodology Therefore, Staff recommends the following products for the 2026 Home Compostable Disposable Food Services Ware Product List Image Product Image Product Burrito Bowls Food boxes/folded paper takeout boxes with PLA lining Clamshells Food contact paper/wax paper Cup sleeves Napkins Cone cups Pizza boxes (takeout) Cutlery (forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks, including paper-bundled sets) Platters (large oval plates) Drinking straws Salad bowls 3 Image Product Image Product Stirrers Tasting Spoons Takeout/catering trays/breakfast platters (multiple compartments or one large compartment) 4 Proposed Home Compostable Food Service Ware Products for 2026 September 15, 2025 5 Table of Contents Summary ....................................................................................................................................................... 6 Products Reviewed for Inclusion in the Home Compostable Product List .................................................... 9 Recommendation for Required Home Compostable Food Service Ware Products .................................... 11 BPI Certification and Previous Exemption Gaps .......................................................................................... 15 Timing for Implementation of Phase 1 Product List Requirements ............................................................ 15 Appendix A: Proposed Methodology for Evaluating Home Compostable Food Service Ware Products .... 16 Appendix B: Review of Product Availability – List of Manufacturers for Home Compostable Products .... 22 Appendix C: Review of Cost Comparison – Cost Range for Products.......................................................... 24 Appendix D: Review of Performance – Products that have Received Complaints ...................................... 27 6 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 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. 7 Staff proposes that the Phase 1 list of products identified in Table 1 be effective for one year (through December 31, 2026) with updates for review and approval by City Council developed within 10 months of adoption of the list. Table 1. List of recommended products proposed for required home compostable food service ware products in 2026. Image Product Image Product Beverage cups (for hot beverages only) Napkins Burrito Bowls Pizza boxes (takeout) Clamshells Platters (large oval plates) Cup sleeves Salad bowls Cone cups Stirrers Cutlery (forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks, including paper- bundled sets) Takeout/catering trays/breakfast platters (multiple compartments or one large compartment) 8 Image Product Image Product Drinking straws Tasting spoons Food boxes/folded paper takeout boxes with PLA lining Serving tongs Food contact paper/wax paper 9 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 2026. 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) Y N N N/A Beverage cups Y N N N/A Beverage cup lids N Y N N/A Burrito bowls Y Y 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 10 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) Miniware (3.5 inches or smaller plates) N Y N N/A 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 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/catering 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 August 31, 2025, 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. 11 +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. 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. C IT Y O F B AI N BR ID G E I SL AN D Table 3. List of recommended products, with reasoning, proposed for the City’s list of required home compostable food service ware products in 2026. Image Product Reasoning Burrito Bowls Burrito bowls meet all three product criteria 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. 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. 13 Image Product Reasoning 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. 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. 14 Image Product Reasoning 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. Takeout/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. 15 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/or certified by OK Compost HOME, and 2. Free of all intentionally added fluorinated chemicals (PFAS-free), and 3. Certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) and/or eligible to be accepted for recycling by the primary recycling collection hauler offering service to Bainbridge Island residents or businesses. 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 2026: 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 2026, with a note that they only need to be made of natural fibers and PFAS-free. Timing for Implementation of Phase 1 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. 16 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 phase d 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 17 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 were required to be PFAS free: bags and sleeves, bowls, flat service ware, including items like plates and trays; open-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 h ow and if they 18 evaluated availability, cost, and performance as factors in the passage of their ordinance. Their use of these factors is summarized in Table 2. 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, no 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. 19 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. 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. 20 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. 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 21 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 compostab le 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). 22 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 2026. Product Number of manufacturers Manufacturers Bakery packaging (pop-up boxes, bakery boxes with see-through film) 4 Eco-Products, World Centric, Primeware, Vegware Beverage cup lids 1 World Centric Beverage cups 7 Ecotainer, Worldcentric, Planet+, Vegware, Responsible Products, NatureStar, Seda Burrito bowl lids 1 World Centric Burrito bowls 4 Sabert, World Centric, Dart, Primeware Chopsticks 3 Green Paper Products, Emperor’s Select, Kari-Out Company Clamshells 4 Tellus, StalkMarket, World Centric, Primeware 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 4 Specialty Quality Packaging, Eco-Products, EcoChoice, World Centric Food boxes/folded paper takeout boxes with PLA lining 3 World Centric, Vegware, EcoChoice Food contact paper/wax paper 7 Vegware, GreenWacks, Eco-Products, McNairn Packaging, BiOrigin Specialty Products, Ahlstrom, Reynolds Consumer Products Forks 3 Vegware, World Centric, Eco-Products Fry cups 2 World Centric, Eco-Products 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 23 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, Primeware 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 Takeout/catering trays/breakfast platters (multiple, compartments or one large compartment) 3 Fineline, World Centric Takeout/catering tray/breakfast platter lids 1 World Centric Tasting spoons 3 Perfect Stix, Fineline, World Centric 24 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/; https://www.webstaurantstore.com/; https://store.worldcentric.com/; https://ecoproducts.com/; or https://www.chefstore.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 2026. Symbol Legend *As of September 2025 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) $0.21-$0.84 $0.32-$1.22 38.46% Beverage cup lids $0.08-$0.36ⴕ $0.09-$0.29 -14.63% Beverage Cups $0.05-$0.17 $0.08-$0.22 30.77% Burrito bowl lids $0.26-$0.49ⴕ $0.30 -22.22% Burrito bowls $0.28-$0.51# $0.21-$0.53 -6.54% Chopsticks $0.35-$1.02ⴕ $0.02-$0.05 -180.56% Clamshells $0.37-$0.72ⴕ $0.23-$0.54 -34.41% Cone cups $0.24-$0.26‡ $0.02-$0.03 -163.64% 25 Product Other product cost (per item)* Home compostable product cost (per item)* Percent difference Cup sleeves $0.05-$0.09ⴕ $0.05-$0.09 0.00% Cutlery sets $0.26-$1.00ⴕ $0.24-$0.40 -31.33% Drinking straws $0.04-$0.07ⴕ $0.02-$0.07 -20% Food boat trays $0.02-$0.24ⴕ $0.05-$0.26 27.59% Food boxes/folded paper takeout boxes with PLA lining $0.22-$0.89ⴕ $0.25-$0.89 2.67% Food contact paper/wax paper $0.04-$0.06# $0.03-$0.06 -10.53% Forks $0.06-$0.13ⴕ $0.08 -17.14% Fry cups $0.04-$0.10ⴕ $0.18-$0.21 94.34% Knives $0.06-$0.13ⴕ $0.08 -17.14% Lunch trays (flat tray, no lid) $0.24-$1.09ⴕ $0.13-$0.54 -66% Miniware (3.5 inches or smaller plates) $0.83-$0.88ⴕ $0.16 -136.63% Napkins $1.46-$2.96§ $0.02-$0.04 -194.64% Open top cold food containers $0.06-$0.34ⴕ $0.15-$0.43 36.73% Open top cold food container lids $0.06-$0.20ⴕ $0.13-$0.38 64.94% Open top hot food container lids $0.06-$0.20ⴕ $0.13-$0.38 64.94% Open top hot food containers $0.06-$0.34ⴕ $0.15-$0.43 44.66% Pizza boxes $0.59ⴕ $0.19-$0.60 -39.59% Plates $0.09-$0.88ⴕ $0.10-$0.38 -75.32% Platters (large oval plates) $0.38-$1.86‡ $0.28-$0.35 -112.20% Salad bowl lids $0.23-$0.34ⴕ $0.22 -25.74% Salad bowls $0.20-$0.43ⴕ $0.11-$0.32 -37.74% Sandwich containers $0.14-$0.17‡ N/A N/A Serving utensils (spoon and fork) $0.22-$0.46‡ $0.38 11.11% Single serving bowls (soups, salads, desserts, etc.) $0.55ⴕ $0.10-$0.60 -44.44% Soda spoons for thick drinks $0.02-$0.03‡ N/A N/A Souffle cups for condiments $0.05-$0.06ⴕ $0.04-$0.07 0.00% Souffle cups for hot foods $0.06-$0.10ⴕ $0.09-$0.11 22.22% 26 Product Other product cost (per item)* Home compostable product cost (per item)* Percent difference Souffle cups for ice cream $0.06-$0.10ⴕ $0.09-$0.11 22.22% Souffle cup lids $0.03-$0.06ⴕ $0.05-$0.15 75.86% Spoons $0.06-$0.13ⴕ $0.07-$0.08 -23.53% Stirrers $0.01-$0.12‡ $0.02 -105.88% Takeout/catering trays/breakfast platters (multiple, compartments or one large compartment) $0.28-$0.51 $0.19-$0.54 -7.89% Takeout/catering trays/breakfast platters lids $0.63-$2.84ⴕ $0.63 -93.45% Tasting spoons $0.68ⴕ $0.16 -123.81% 27 Appendix D: Review of Performance – Products that have Received Complaints This table provides a summary of complaints received by City staff from local businesses through August 31, 2025. Only complaints that noted functional issues that could result in harm to property and people are listed below. The City did receive other types of complaints about products, but they would not result in harm to property and people and thus were not considered in this analysis. Table 6. List of product complaints regarding potential harm to property and people from the use of home compostable products as received from local businesses through August 31, 2025. Product Complaint Open top hot food containers Leaking from dense and hot liquids. Open top hot food container lids The lids for these containers are not secure enough to transport without spilling/leaking. Souffle (i.e., portion or sauce) cups for condiments Sauces leak through the container and from the connection point with a lid. Home compostable options do not hold up for long periods of time when stored in the refrigerator and/or on shelves.