Compostable Straws and Utensils for Long Beach

Long Beach bans plastic straws, and that includes PLA and other "compostable plastic" straws. The city's rules cover straws made of plastic or bioplastic, including PLA. Businesses need straws made from non plastic materials such as paper or plant fiber. KGPeco bamboo fiber straws and cutlery are plant fiber with no plastic or PLA, and they hold up in boba, iced coffee, and hot drinks where paper fails.

What Long Beach requires

  • The law: Municipal Code Chapter 8.63, which took effect for food businesses February 1, 2019.
  • What is banned: straws made of plastic or bioplastic, including PLA.
  • What is allowed: non plastic materials such as paper or plant fiber.
  • On request only: compliant straws may only be given when a customer asks for them.
  • Accessibility: like most straw laws, it still allows a plastic straw for a customer with a disability who asks for one. That exception is narrow; it does not let a business keep stocking PLA straws for everyone.

This page is a plain language summary, not legal advice. For the current rules, see the City of Long Beach ordinance FAQ.

Why bamboo fiber instead of paper

With plastic and PLA ruled out, most Long Beach cafes, boba shops, bars, and restaurants are choosing between paper and plant fiber. Paper costs less per straw, but it softens within minutes, can leave a papery taste, and fails in boba and thick drinks. Bamboo fiber stays firm for hours in cold and hot drinks and adds no taste. It is home compostable, BPI certified (listing #10529008), and CMA certified. See the full bamboo fiber vs paper vs PLA vs PHA comparison.

Products for Long Beach businesses

  • Wide boba straws: 12 mm, 9 inch and 4.25 inch, wrapped or unwrapped, pointy end to pierce sealing film.
  • Regular drinking straws: 6 mm, 8.27 inch and 9 inch, wrapped or unwrapped, flat or pointy end.
  • Smoothie and shake straws: 8 mm, 9 inch.
  • Cocktail straws: 6 mm, 5 inch, for bars and tasting rooms.
  • Cutlery: forks, knives, spoons, sporks, and soup spoons made from bamboo fiber and plant starch. The fork, spoon, and spork are CMA certified.

Local supply from Los Angeles

KGPeco is a Los Angeles company. We import directly and stock product in our own warehouse in Los Angeles County, and we deliver to businesses across Long Beach and the surrounding South Bay and Gateway Cities. Pickups are by appointment only. Our parent company has been in the import and distribution business since 1979.

See every city with a similar rule on our list of cities that ban PLA straws, and the LA County and California rules.

Try them in your own drinks

We send free samples to Long Beach businesses so you can test them in real service before ordering a case. Request free samples or see wholesale ordering. Prefer to talk? Call 323-880-0899.