Prince George's County, Maryland, USA

County Reduces Use of Foodware Items Beginning June 1, 2023

For immediate release: 
May 3, 2023

For more information, contact: 
Brittani Garner, Public Information Officer 
Department of the Environment 
(301) 883-5985; bgarner@co.pg.md.us

 

Prince George’s County Reduces Use of Foodware Items Beginning June 1, 2023 

New regulation requires businesses to provide single-use items upon request only

 

Largo, MD – To reduce waste, starting June 1, 2023, Prince George’s County food service businesses can only provide food service ware to customers upon request or at self-serve stations for ready-to-eat foods.  Take-out or delivery orders shall not include accessory disposable food service ware unless specifically requested by the customer in person, on the phone, or online.

The County Bill, CB-014-2022, applies to all food service businesses, including full-service, fast food, cafés, delicatessens, coffee shops, supermarkets, grocery stores, vending trucks or carts, food trucks, and cafeterias. It also applies to those entities operated by or on behalf of County departments and agencies selling or providing food for consumption on or off the premises that provide prepared or ready-to-eat food. 

“These items are designed to be used once and discarded, contributing to contamination in our recycling stream,” says Andrea Crooms, Director of the Prince George’s County Department of the Environment. “Supporting this waste reduction and reuse culture will help our Materials Recycling Facility operate more efficiently and keep waste and litter from ending up in our communities, streets, and waterways.”

Food facilities that use a third-party delivery platform shall customize their menu with a list of single-use accessories/condiments that the customers can request with their order in person, on the phone, or online. The County will start enforcement of the regulation beginning October 1, 2023. 

Single-use foodware items covered by the new requirements include:

  • Utensils (knives, forks, spoons, chopsticks) 
  • Splash sticks and stirrers 
  • Straws(*Under County law, CB 52-2019, only compostable and paper straws are permitted) 
  • Condiment cups and packets 
  • Cup sleeves 
  • Napkins

Learn more here about CB-014-2022 or visit mypgc.us/singleuse.