Reducing Single-Use Plastics:
Phase 2
Bailey Hall, Env. Programs Specialist II
Shikha Gupta, SW Programs Division Manager
Study Session, 9/10/2024
2City of Sunnyvale – Reusable Foodware – Sept. 2024
Agenda
Data Collection and Pilot
Staff Recommendations
Discussion
Background
3City of Sunnyvale – Reusable Foodware – Sept. 2024
• 17% of Commercial waste stream (by
weight) is plastic, most is single-use
• >90% plastic isn’t recyclable, creates
litter/pollution
• 2022: Council approved Phase 1:
foodware ordinance
• Council asked Staff to return with
additional strategies
Single-Use Plastics Background
4City of Sunnyvale – Reusable Foodware – Sept. 2024
• Business survey
• Pilot:
Mini-grants ($300) for
19 participants
Reusables (14)
Compostables (5)
Reusables To-Go (1)
Data Collection (Surveys) and Pilot
5City of Sunnyvale – Reusable Foodware – Sept. 2024
• Survey – 87 responses, 19%
sample size of total
• Most had seating capacity 26-50
• 2/3 offer both dine-in and to-go
for customers
• 98% have mechanized or 3-sink
dishwasher
Business Survey (Food/Bev Businesses)
6City of Sunnyvale – Reusable Foodware – Sept. 2024
Foodware Usage for Dine-In Customers
46%
23%
31%
All Reusables Reusable/Disposable mix All Disposables
7City of Sunnyvale – Reusable Foodware – Sept. 2024
Barriers Benefits
Business Survey Results - Barriers and Benefits of Reusables • Half of responders
listed these as top
barriers:
Staffing for
dishwashing
Space for dishwasher
and reusables
• Two-thirds listed these
as top benefits:
Better food
presentation
Waste reduction
Cost savings
8City of Sunnyvale – Reusable Foodware – Sept. 2024
• What would help you switch to reusables?
Grant or rebate to purchase dishware
Local ordinance requiring it
• 75% "yes" or "maybe" to trying compostable
foodware
• Fees for disposables (i.e. cup charges)
and discounts for reusables were unpopular
• Roughly half open to customer BYO for cups,
containers
Other Business Survey Takeaways
9City of Sunnyvale – Reusable Foodware – Sept. 2024
461 Total Restaurants
Takeout (387): To-go,
Delivery
Disposables Only
Dine-In (364)
All reusables (169)
Mostly reusables (56)
Mostly disposables (26)
All disposables (113)
Overview of Sunnyvale Food/Bev Businesses
10City of Sunnyvale – Reusable Foodware – Sept. 2024
461 restaurants
Takeout (387): Food
Trucks, To-go, Delivery
Disposables Only
Dine-In (364): Full
service, Self service
All reusables (169)
Mostly reusables (56)
Mostly disposables (26)
All disposables (113)
Pilot Program Businesses
Pilot Program:
• 5 tested compostables
• 14 tested reusables
• 1 tested reusable to-go
11City of Sunnyvale – Reusable Foodware – Sept. 2024
• Reusable to-go cup borrowing program
• Worked with Okapi for pilot; secured one boba shop
• Potential to conduct more pilots
Reusables To-Go (3rd Party Provider)
12City of Sunnyvale – Reusable Foodware – Sept. 2024
Pilot Program Outcomes
Restaurants switching to reusables:
• Annual savings from not purchasing
disposables: $1,600 to $18,000
• Reduction 590 – 1,650 lbs. garbage
annually
Switching to compostables:
• No reduction in cost or garbage
13City of Sunnyvale – Reusable Foodware – Sept. 2024
• 83% participants still using
reusables
• 64% want to swap out more
disposables
• 17% indicated increase in
dishwashing, not a deterrent.
• Other challenges: plate
breakage, customers throwing
away dishware
What we learned from the pilot
14City of Sunnyvale – Reusable Foodware – Sept. 2024
Lessons from other cities
● Foodware ordinances in Berkeley, Cupertino, Santa Cruz ● Enforcement is a challenge; cities lack resources
● Charging for disposables isn’t successful
● Education (for public & restaurant owners) is a priority
15City of Sunnyvale – Reusable Foodware – Sept. 2024
Related Legislation / Initiatives
● AB 1276
● SB 54
● Regional Reuse campaigns
AB 1276
SB 54
16City of Sunnyvale – Reusable Foodware – Sept. 2024
Staff Recommendations (3-year plan)
1. Mini grants to restaurants
to purchase reusables
2. Focused outreach to affect
resident behavior change
3. City walks the walk
4. No compostables
requirements for now
5. No ordinance for now
17City of Sunnyvale – Reusable Foodware – Sept. 2024
Mini Grants
● Investment of $300 (partial switch) to $500 (full switch) per restaurant
● 195 restaurants within these categories
18City of Sunnyvale – Reusable Foodware – Sept. 2024
Outreach campaign
● In English, Spanish, simplified Chinese (from survey) ● Focus on “bring your own” cup/containers (giveaways)
● Messaging to reduce use of single use plastics
19City of Sunnyvale – Reusable Foodware – Sept. 2024
Walk the Walk
● Internal City Policy:
For City events, external caterers required to serve on reusables
Staff use reusables for internal gatherings
● Zero waste City-sponsored events (e.g. Earth Day Fair, EV Ride & Drive)
20City of Sunnyvale – Reusable Foodware – Sept. 2024
• On hold until after
SMaRT Station
NextGen upgrades
• No reduction in cost
or garbage
Plan for Compostables
21City of Sunnyvale – Reusable Foodware – Sept. 2024
No Ordinance
• Revisit in 3 years
• Cities with ordinances
struggling to enforce
• Restaurants need
financial/technical support
first
22City of Sunnyvale – Reusable Foodware – Sept. 2024
Recommendation Cost
Restaurant Mini-grants for reusables purchase $80,000
Consultant for mini-grant outreach $30,000
Consultant for Outreach Campaign $50,000
Reusable Giveaways $23,000
Dishware for City Departments $3,000
Reusables for catered/City-sponsored events $60,000
Total Cost $246,000
Three Year Budget (FY 2025-2027)
Funds already available in Zero Waste Strategic Plan project budget 23City of Sunnyvale – Reusable Foodware – Sept. 2024
Feedback from City Council
● Staff recommendations
1. Mini grants to restaurants to purchase reusables
2. Focused outreach to affect resident behavior change
3. City walks the walk
4. No compostables requirements for now
5. No ordinance for now
● Questions/Discussion
Thank you!