Beginning on Sept. 2, food service companies in Westchester County will need to adhere to the new “Upon Request” foodware law designed to reduce the presence of single-use plastics.
Under the new law, no food service establishment within Westchester County may provide single-use foodware or condiment packets to dine-in or take-away customers unless expressly requested. This includes forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks, cup sleeves, beverage lids and condiment packets. Single-use plastic beverage stirrers and “splash sticks” will no longer be permitted within food service establishments. Retail stores may still offer these items for sale to their customers.
Furthermore, utensils available in self-service containers for consumers must be individually wrapped or placed face-down, with single-item dispensers recommended. Single-use foodware items or condiment packets must be provided individually upon an individual customer”™s request, rather than in packages containing multiple items. The law applies to in-person, online and food delivery apps transactions.
“Westchester County is once again taking steps to lessen the waste we put back into the waste stream,” said County Executive George Latimer. “From large scale measures to simple changes in our daily behavior, every little bit counts toward our goal of leaving a cleaner planet for future generations.”
