Compostable Straws and Utensils for Marin County

Marin County requires straws, utensils, and stirrers to be natural fiber compostable, with no bioplastics. That rules out plastic and PLA "compostable plastic" straws and cutlery across unincorporated Marin and nearly every Marin city and town. KGPeco bamboo fiber straws and cutlery are natural fiber with no plastic or PLA, and they hold up in boba, iced coffee, and hot drinks where paper fails.

What Marin County requires

  • The law: Marin County Code Chapter 7.25, the county foodware ordinance adopted May 10, 2022, with matching ordinances adopted by the cities and towns. Enforcement began November 10, 2023.
  • Where it applies: unincorporated Marin County and every Marin city and town except Corte Madera, including San Rafael, Novato, Mill Valley, Sausalito, Larkspur, San Anselmo, Fairfax, Tiburon, Belvedere, and Ross.
  • Straws, utensils, and stirrers: must be natural fiber compostable when available, and bioplastics are not allowed.
  • Other to go food ware: bioplastic is not accepted.
  • On request only: accessories such as straws and utensils may only be given when a customer asks.

Source: Marin County foodware ordinance page.

This page is a plain language summary, not legal advice, and local rules change. Check the linked sources or your local environmental office for the current requirements.

Why bamboo fiber instead of paper

With plastic and PLA ruled out, most 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 that comply

  • 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.

Shipped from our California warehouse

KGPeco imports directly and ships by the case or pallet from our own warehouse in Los Angeles County, with supply chain experience going back to 1979. We already supply restaurants, boba shops, and SFO airport concessions across Northern and Southern California. See every city with a similar rule on our list of cities that ban PLA straws.

Try them in your own drinks

We send free samples to Marin 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.