Disposable Food Service Supplies

Stack of plates and bowls

Buy biodegradable and compostable food service supplies, the state can substantially reduce its environmental impact on its landfills. Disposable food service supplies (e.g. dishes, utensils, and napkins) have a one-time use. The consumption of these products can accumulate into a large portion of the state’s landfill.

Expand All

To promote sustainable purchasing for food ware, the State offers the following disposable food supplies statewide contracts. These contracts include products that are made with recycled content, certified compostable, and/or free of intentionally added per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances. These types of products promote resource conservation and protects human health and the environment.

 

Contract Name: Disposable Food Service Supplies

Contract Number: 1-23-73-02A

Contractor Name: San Joaquin Distributors

Contract Name: Disposable Food Service Supplies

Contract Number: 1-23-73-02B

Contractor Name: Veterans First Supply

Contract Name: Disposable Food Service Supplies

Contract Number: 1-23-73-02C

Contractor Name: Victory International Group

Contract Name: Disposable Food Service Supplies

Contract Number: 1-23-73-02D

Contractor Name: Avenue Home Care

Contract Name: Disposable Food Service Supplies

Contract Number: 1-23-73-02DE

Contractor Name: CalState Supply

The following technical and environmental specifications are incorporated in the state's contract and are linked here for informational purposes only.

7350-5797 Disposable Food Service Supplies

Laws

Products designated as bio-based shall comply with the 7 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §3201, Guidelines for Designating Bio-based Products for Federal Procurement.

Products that make contact with food and/or beverage shall be manufactured in accordance with the 21 CFR §110, Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packing, or Holding Human Food and shall comply with the regulations contained within the 21 CFR parts 170 through 189, where applicable.

Products designed as plastic shall comply with the California Public Resources Code (PRC) Sections 42355 – 42358.5, Plastic Products.

Products that make contact with food and/or beverage shall comply with PRC Sections 42370 – 42370.7, the Sustainable Packaging for the State of California Act of 2018.

Regulations

Code of Federal Regulations, Title 7, Section 3201 - Guidelines for Designating Bio-based Products for Federal Procurement

Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Section 110 - Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packing, or Holding Human Food

Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Section 170-189 - Substances for Use as Basic Components of Single and Repeated Use Food Contact Surfaces

Policy

None

Food Service Packaging at State Facilities

The Sustainable Packaging for the State of California Act of 2018 (Senate Bill 1335 Allen, Chapter 610, Statutes of 2018) aims to reduce food service packaging waste by requiring certain food service facilities to serve customers with packaging that is either reusable, recyclable, or compostable.

Packaging Materials List

The Materials List is intended to streamline the application and approval process for food service packaging that is made with materials routinely recycled and composted in the state. The following are CalRecycle’s lists of material types that meet a subset of the recyclable or compostable criteria indicated in SB 1335.

Materials Determined to Meet the Recyclable Criteria in CCR subsection 17989.4(a)(3)(A):

  • PET #1 – Non-thermoform
  • HDPE #2
  • Paperboard – Uncoated
  • Paperboard – Clay-coated
  • Aluminum

Materials Determined to Meet the Compostable Criteria in CCR subsection 17989.5(a)(1)(A):

  • Paperboard – Uncoated
  • Paperboard – Clay-coated
  • Fiber – Sugarcane/Bagasse
  • Fiber – Bamboo

List of Approved Food Service Packaging

SB 1335 requires CalRecycle to maintain a List of Approved Food Service Packaging. The listed food service packaging items are approved and eligible for use by state food service facilities. Food service packaging items will be added as they are approved.

For Additional Information:

Email: SB1335@calrecycle.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 341-6518

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D6400: Standard Specification for Labeling of Plastics Designed to be Aerobically Composted in Municipal or Industrial Facilities.

ASTM D6868: Standard Specification for Labeling of End Items that Incorporate Plastics and Polymers as Coatings or Additives with Paper and Other Substrates Designated to be Aerobically Composted in Municipal or Industrial Facilities.

ASTM D7081: Standard Specification for Non-Floating Biodegradable Plastics in the Marine Environment.

BUYING TIPS

Look for:

  • Products that are certified compostable and/or made with post-consumer recycled content.
  • Certifications such as  Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI), Process Chlorine Free (PCF) and/or Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) for paper-based products.
  • Products that do not contain Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) which can be found in food packaging and/or equipment that is used during food processing.
  • Choose products from CalRecycle’s List of Approved Food Service Packaging whenever feasible.
Read EPP Newswire