Compostable Straws and Utensils for Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Carpinteria

Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Carpinteria all ban plastic straws, and all three exclude PLA and other "compostable plastic" alternatives. Businesses need straws, stirrers, and utensils made from non plastic materials such as paper, wood, sugar cane, or bamboo. KGPeco bamboo fiber straws and cutlery have no plastic or PLA, and they hold up in boba, iced coffee, and hot drinks where paper fails.

What each city requires

Santa Barbara

  • The law: Municipal Code Chapter 9.165, adopted in 2018 and amended in 2026.
  • What is banned: plastic straws, stirrers, and cutlery, including compostable or bio based polymers such as PLA.
  • Allowed: paper, sugar cane, or bamboo, given on request only.
  • Source: Santa Barbara Municipal Code.

Goleta

  • The law: Municipal Code Chapter 8.18, in effect since June 1, 2023.
  • What is banned: plastic straws, stirrers, and utensils, including compostable or bio based polymers.
  • Allowed: paper, pasta, sugar cane, or wood, given on request only.
  • Source: Goleta Municipal Code.

Carpinteria

  • The law: Municipal Code Chapter 8.50, in effect since February 22, 2024, with citations starting in 2026.
  • What is required: food ware accessories must be non plastic. The city does not accept bioplastic, because its compost program cannot process PLA.
  • On request only: accessories are given only when a customer asks.

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 Santa Barbara area 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.