Resources for Food Facilities

Below you will find a variety of resources designed to assist restaurants and other food service businesses in meeting the County of San Mateo’s Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance requirements and reducing single-use plastic and other foodware waste. These tools will aid in transitioning to compliant foodware, adapting practices as necessary, and communicating with customers. The County’s Foodware Aware Team is also available to provide additional guidance and support.

Ordinance Summary

Ordinance Summary – English (PDF)

Ordinance Summary – Spanish (PDF)

Ordinance Summary – Chinese (PDF)

Compliant Foodware Purchasing Guide

foodware ordinance compliant disposable container

Find Compliant Disposable Foodware (Google Doc)

Shop Earth-Friendly Reusables (Google Doc)

Discover Disposable Foodware Distributors (Google Doc)

Plastic-Free Guide for Boba Shops

Plastic-free Guide for Boba Shops – English (PDF)

Plastic-free Guide for Boba Shops – Spanish (PDF)

Plastic-free Guide for Boba Shops – Chinese (PDF)

Food Facility Signs

Utensils “Ask for Accessories” Table Tent (English/Spanish-Chinese/Tagalog PDF)

Utensils “Take Only What You Need” Table Tent (English/Spanish-Chinese/Tagalog PDF)

English ordinance sign (PDF)

Spanish ordinance sign (PDF)

Chinese ordinance sign (PDF)

Public Notices

Select a jurisdiction below to view/download the public notice:

Town of Atherton (PDF)
City of Belmont (PDF)
City of Brisbane (PDF)
City of Burlingame (PDF)
Town of Colma (PDF)
City of Daly City (PDF)
City of Foster City (PDF)
City of Half Moon Bay (PDF)
Town of Hillsborough (PDF)
City of Millbrae (PDF)
City of Pacifica (PDF)
City of Redwood City (PDF)
City of San Bruno (PDF)
City of San Carlos (PDF)
City of San Mateo (PDF)
City of South San Francisco (PDF)
County of San Mateo (unincorporated areas only) (PDF)

Exemptions

The County may grant temporary exemptions under unique circumstances. Please email foodware@smcgov.org for additional information.

Contact Us

Our Foodware Aware Program Team — the County’s Sustainability Department and Environmental Innovations, Inc. — are here to help you and other impacted food facilities successfully make the operational transition to meet the new requirements of the County’s Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance.

Please email foodware@smcgov.org or call 888-442-2666 to get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you.