Updated March 1, 2021

The Burien City Council passed Ordinance 709 on February 3, 2020 banning the use and sale of plastic food service products. All food service business must use and provide compostable food service products starting July 1, 2022.

This ordinance applies to all food service businesses, including restaurants, grocery stores, delis, coffee shops, food trucks, and home delivery services.

Specifically, the ordinance:

Requires all food service-ware and packaging to be commercially compostable. The products must meet ASTM D6400 or ASTM D6868 standards, or be made of natural fiber (such as paper or wood).

Prohibits products such as Styrofoam take out containers, plastic lined take out containers, plastic utensils, and plastic to go cups.

Exemptions to the law include: prepackaged foods, catering trays, produce bags, clear food and shrink wrap, containers from uniquely shaped foods like cupcakes, hot meat item containers, straws, and items that receive a one-year waiver.

Announcements:

The City of Burien, Discover Burien, and Zero Waste Washington hosted a virtual webinar on February 3, 2021 about the law and how to make the switch to compostable products.

Compostables Webinar Questions and Answers

Compostables Webinar Slides

Contact Us:

For questions about the law or to get support for your business, please contact:

Paige MorrisEnvironmental Education Specialistenvironment@burienwa.gov(206) 248-5511

Additional Resources

Compostable Food Serviceware Requirements (English)

Shuruudaha looga baahan yahay Adeegga Cuntada ee Qashinka ah (Somali)

Requisitos Para Productos Compostables de Servicio Alimentos (Español)

Mga Kailangan para sa Kagamitan sa Pagkain na Puwedeng Gawing Compost (Tagalog)

Các Yêu Cầu Đối Với Dụng Cụ Phục Vụ Ăn Uống Có Thể Phân Hủy (Tiếng Việt)

Food service products that must be compostable under the new law include but are not limited to:

Containers, Plates, Bowls. Cups, Trays, Cartons, Lids, Meat trays, Deli rounds, Utensils (Knives, forks, and spoons), Splash sticks, Stirrers, Portion cups, Cocktail picks, Chopsticks, Clamshells and other hinged or lidded containers

Businesses required to comply include but are not limited to:

Full-service restaurants, Fast-food restaurants, Cades, Delicatessens, Coffee shops, Grocery stores, Vending trucks, Booths, Carts, Home delivery services, Business or Institutional cafeterias

There are several exemptions to the ordinance, including:

Prepackaged foods, Catering trays, Produce bags, Clear food wrap and shrink wrap, Containers for uniquely-shaped foods such as deviled eggs and cupcakes, Flexible plastic packaging used to preserve moisture and freshness such as for cookies, Hot meat item containers such as those for ribs and rotisserie chicken, Straws, Items receiving a one-year waiver

Food service products: a product designed for single use on or in which any raw, prepared or cooked foods or beverages are placed or packaged or intended to be placed or packaged and are designed for a single use, including but not limited to containers, plates, bowls, cups, trays, cartons, lids, meat trays, deli rounds, knives, forks, spoons, splash sticks, stirrers, utensils, portion cups, cocktail picks, chopsticks, clamshells and other hinged or lidded containers.

Prepackaged foods: food service products that have been filled with food and sealed by a separate food service business or food manufacturer prior to receipt by the point of sale food service business.

One-year waiver: The City Manager may grant renewable one-year waivers from the ordinance for a specific food service product upon sufficient proof that the business would undergo undue hardship as a result of this ordinance.

Compostable products: Compostable products are made of material that can be completely broken down, such as plant-based plastics (PLA), plant fiber, wood, and paper. Compostable products meet ASTM D6400 or D6868 standards.