On the heels of the latest discussion on the proposed countywide Reusable Foodware Ordinance, in which business owners noted the gaps between the ordinances requirements and the lack of product availability with which to comply, County of Marin consultants Jinesse Reynolds and Susan Hopp reached back out to provide some additional context:
From Jinesse and Susan: "Thanks for showing up at the meeting yesterday and letting us know your concerns. From viewing online pics, it looks like Mixt MV is compliant with the Ordinance already. Ordinance requirements:
1. Compost concern – Mill Valley Refuse. You are required to make sure your compost is not contaminated. If your customers are the problem, you can ask them to put all of the waste in your bus tray and then the person who does the dishes can sort it out correctly in the back.
2. To-Go Ramekins - That is not on the Exemption list but we can see about getting it added since there is not a replacement that works.
3. Wood-based utensils are required, please check out other ideas if bamboo is not working for you. Here is the link to the Marin County Purchasing Guide. It contains some compost compliant disposable suggestions that may help. It also contains a list of the exempt items.
4. The County is working on providing signs to help the customer & the employees with the ordinance requirements (8.5" x 5.5" 2 sided postcards, can be displayed at ordering and accessory areas, employees can refer to the backside for info on the ordinances).
3. Wood-based utensils are required, please check out other ideas if bamboo is not working for you. Here is the link to the Marin County Purchasing Guide. It contains some compost compliant disposable suggestions that may help. It also contains a list of the exempt items.
4. The County is working on providing signs to help the customer & the employees with the ordinance requirements (8.5" x 5.5" 2 sided postcards, can be displayed at ordering and accessory areas, employees can refer to the backside for info on the ordinances).
5. Please understand this ordinance was adopted because Marin County residents rallied and made it happen. The largest percentage of the population in Marin County are concerned residents that understand using single-use disposable foodware pollutes and is harmful to our bodies and the environment and replacing single-use with reusables is the best way to make the biggest difference. The County has and will continue to work with community stakeholders and businesses to make this work the best it can for all. San Anselmo and Fairfax have been working with their businesses since they implemented it in 2019. Here is a study that was done by ReThink disposables. Comforts is a deli/restaurant in San Anselmo. They have dine-in & take -out.
Questions/Concerns? Email Susan Hopp here.
Questions/Concerns? Email Susan Hopp here.