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Food and Beverage Polystyrene and Single Use Plastics Reduction Ordinances

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At a Glance

In 2021, in an effort to reduce litter and landfill waste in Vista, the City Council approved two ordinances regarding the reduction of single use foodware items and accessories.

  1.  Ordinance No. 2021-12–Single-Use Foodware Accessories and Condiments Reduction
  2.  Ordinance No. 2021-13–Polystyrene Plastics Reduction

These ordinances affect Food Service Providers by restricting the kinds of single use foodware accessories they can use as well as how they can distribute them.  The Single-Use Foodware Accessories and Condiments Reduction ordinance requires food service providers to give out single-use foodware accessories or condiments only if requested by the customer.  The Polystyrene Plastics Reduction ordinance prohibits food service providers from distributing polystyrene (Styrofoam) containers or accessories with prepared food.  As of July 2023, both of these ordinances are officially in effect and enforceable. 

Food Service Providers Include:

  • Restaurants, fast food restaurants, drive-thru services, food trucks
  • Cafés and coffee shops
  • Grocery, supermarket, delicatessen, cafeteria, and convenience stores
  • Farmers markets or similar fixed place where prepared food is available for consumption

Foodware Accessories and Containers Include: 

  • Straws, stirrers, forks, spoons, knives, sporks 
  • Plates, bowls, cups, trays
  • Boxes, hinged or lidded take-out containers
  • Condiment packages like salt, pepper, ketchup, etc.  

What Does This Mean for My Business?

Starting immediately, if you are a Food Service Provider that provides polystyrene products to your customers, by law you must switch to a non-polystyrene product, ideally a more sustainable product like paper or a compostable option, but plastic is acceptable. 

  • Exceptions: Businesses that have annual gross receipts of less than $1 million can apply for a 6-month waiver, with the option of one renewal waiver. For more information on this waiver, email us.

Starting immediately, if you are a Food Service Provider that DOES NOT provide Styrofoam products but does provide single use food accessories and condiments, by law you must not provide customers with the single use item unless they request it. 

  • Exceptions: Businesses can have unwrapped single-use foodware items or condiments available to a customer via self-service dispensers. In addition, businesses are allowed to ask the customer if they would like a single-use food accessory or condiment if operating a drive-through.

Why Does My Business Have to Comply?

Background

The new regulations aim to reduce plastic use, shift consumer and businesses to a more reusable mindset, and help the City meet its waste reduction and recycling goal of 85% waste diversion by 2030. Polystyrene and Single-Use Products are not easily recyclable and are some of the most significant contributors to local litter. This litter can harm wildlife, pollute our environment, and damage the City’s vision of a Cleaner Vista.

Enforcement   

All Enforcement on these ordinances is currently complaint based. If your business is reported to the City for using polystyrene products or giving out single use food accessories and condiments regardless of customer request, your business will be subject to further action and potential fees from the City. 

While fines and penalties are possible, the City’s goal is to provide as much education and outreach to our businesses as possible to create a partnership toward a more sustainable Vista.

Would you like to report a business? Please submit your report on the Access Vista App (link to the page) or email climateaction@vista.gov with the business’s name and address, including the date you received a Styrofoam product with your order.

More Information

Contact 

Cassidy McCarthy
Climate Action Plan Program Administrator
P: 760.643.5219
email