San Francisco and Bay Area Foodware Rules for Straws
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Short answer: in San Francisco, restaurants cannot hand out plastic straws of any kind, including compostable or plant based plastic like PLA. Paper or natural fiber straws are allowed, but only on request, and they must be certified compostable by BPI or TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium. Berkeley and SFO add their own rules, so where you operate decides exactly what you can put on the counter.
This guide covers what San Francisco, Berkeley, and SFO concessions require for straws and other accessories, how California's state straw law fits in, and how to set up your counter so you stay compliant without slowing down service.
What are the Bay Area foodware rules at a glance?
| Rule | San Francisco | Berkeley | SFO concessions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic straws, including PLA | Prohibited, except for people who need and request one | Takeout disposables must be BPI certified compostable | Foodware must be reusable or BPI certified compostable |
| Fiber or paper straws | Allowed; must be BPI or TÜV AUSTRIA certified | Allowed if BPI certified compostable | Allowed if BPI certified compostable |
| Straws and utensils on request | Yes, or from a self serve area | Yes, or from a self serve station | Follow airport rules and your lease |
| Dine in | Check current city rules | Reusable foodware required | Per airport program |
| Disposable cup charge | Not covered here | $0.25 per cup | Not covered here |
Sources for each row are linked in the sections below. Rules change, so confirm the current text with your city before you reorder supplies.
What straws can San Francisco restaurants hand out?
San Francisco's food service ware rules live in Chapter 16 of the city's Environment Code. Ordinance 294-18 says businesses shall not provide single use straws "made with plastic, including compostable, bio- or plant-based plastic." The ban has applied since July 1, 2019. PLA straws marketed as compostable are still plastic under this definition, so they are not an option.
What you can use, according to SF Environment:
- Paper or natural fiber straws, only on request. Acceptable single use straws "can only be made available upon request."
- Certified compostable only. Since January 1, 2020, straws made of natural fiber or paper and all other compostable foodware must be certified by BPI or TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium.
- Accessories on request or self serve. Beverage plugs, chopsticks, condiment packets, lids, napkins, sleeves, stirrers, and utensils may be offered only on request or in a self service area.
The ordinance also requires compostable food service ware to be fluorinated chemical free starting January 1, 2020, and it protects access for people with disabilities: businesses may keep plastic straws for customers who need and request them.
What does Berkeley require?
Berkeley's Single Use Foodware and Litter Reduction rules, in Municipal Code Chapter 11.64, go further than San Francisco in some areas. Per the City of Berkeley:
- Disposable accessories must be provided only on customer request or at self serve stations.
- All disposable takeout foodware must be BPI certified compostable. Paper napkins and natural wood accessories are the stated exceptions.
- Customers eating on site must be served with reusable foodware.
- Prepared food vendors must charge $0.25 for every disposable beverage cup, itemized on the receipt.
For a boba shop or cafe doing mostly takeout, that means your straws need BPI certification, and they should come from a dispenser or be handed out only when asked.
What about Oakland and other Bay Area cities?
Many Bay Area cities have their own rules. Oakland, for example, has a Disposable Food Serviceware Ordinance in Municipal Code Chapter 8.07, and South San Francisco has its own Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance. Requirements differ city by city, so check the ordinance for each location you operate rather than assuming San Francisco's rules apply everywhere.
California's state straw law also applies statewide. Under AB 1884, a full service restaurant shall not provide a single use plastic straw unless the customer requests it, and the law's definition of plastic straw includes straws made from plant based polymers. Local rules like San Francisco's are stricter.
What are the rules for SFO concessions?
San Francisco International Airport runs a Zero Waste Concessions Program. According to an EPA case study of SFO, the airport requires "all food ware and accessories to be either reusable or BPI-certified compostable," and beverages must be plastic free. Airport tenants should also check the current Airport Rules and Regulations and their concession agreement, since the airport enforces these standards directly.
How do KGPeco straws fit these rules?
KGPeco straws are made from bamboo fiber and plant starch, with no plastic. They are BPI certified, home compostable with BPI certification, and CMA certified, and wrapped versions use plain paper wrappers. They are a single use straw, which is what these ordinances expect when a straw is requested: one compliant, certified straw that goes into the compost afterward.
Popular choices for Bay Area operators:
- Wide 12 mm boba straws, 9 inch, wrapped, pointy end for boba, milk tea, and thick drinks. The pointy end pierces sealing film.
- Regular 6 mm straws, 9 inch, wrapped, flat end for iced coffee, soda, juice, and water.
- 8 mm smoothie straws, wrapped, pointy end for smoothies and shakes with small fruit bits.
Individually wrapped straws work well in self serve areas, since each straw stays sanitary until a customer takes one. This guide covers straws only. If your city requires BPI certification for utensils too, confirm the certification of each utensil before you order, because certifications differ by product.
How do you set up your counter to stay compliant?
- Move straws and utensils behind the counter or into a self serve dispenser. Train staff to ask, not automatically drop a straw in the bag.
- Set straws and utensils as opt in on your online ordering and delivery apps, so they go out only when a customer asks.
- Keep certification documents for every compostable item you use. That way you can show proof of BPI certification if an inspector or the airport asks.
- In San Francisco, keep a small supply of plastic straws for customers with disabilities who request them.
- Test your replacement straw in your toughest drinks before switching a whole location.
Businesses can request free samples to test KGPeco straws in real service. If you also operate in Southern California, see our LA County and California single use plastic rules update.
Frequently asked questions
Are compostable PLA straws allowed in San Francisco?
No. San Francisco prohibits straws made with plastic, including compostable, bio based, or plant based plastic. PLA falls into that category.
Can I put straws out for customers to grab in San Francisco or Berkeley?
Yes, both cities allow accessories in a self serve area or dispenser. What you cannot do is automatically include them with every order.
What certification does a compostable straw need in San Francisco?
Natural fiber or paper straws must be certified by BPI or TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium. KGPeco straws are BPI certified.
Can San Francisco businesses still keep plastic straws for customers with disabilities?
Yes. The ordinance says nothing in it restricts the availability of plastic straws to people who require and request them, and businesses may buy enough to meet those requests.