Compostable Straws and Utensils for Santa Monica

Santa Monica bans plastic straws and utensils, and that includes bioplastic (#7/PLA) "compostable plastic" straws. Food and beverage providers may only hand out straws and utensils made from approved materials such as paper, fiber, wood, straw, bagasse, or edible material, and only when a customer asks. KGPeco bamboo fiber straws and cutlery are plant fiber, contain no plastic or PLA, and hold up in boba, iced coffee, and hot drinks where paper fails.

What Santa Monica requires

Santa Monica's Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance took effect January 1, 2019. In summary:

  • No plastic, bioplastic, or aluminum disposable food service ware for prepared food and beverages. Plastics #1 through #6 and bioplastic #7, including PLA, are prohibited.
  • Approved materials are paper, fiber, wood, wheat straw or straw, bagasse, and edible material.
  • Covered items include straws, utensils, stirrers, lid plugs, plates, trays, bowls, and containers.
  • Straws and utensils on request only. Even compliant straws and utensils may only be provided when the customer asks for them.
  • Hardship exemptions are possible only when no reasonable compliant alternative exists.

This page is a plain language summary, not legal advice. For the current rules, see the City of Santa Monica ordinance page or contact the City's Office of Sustainability and the Environment.

Why bamboo fiber instead of paper

With plastic and PLA ruled out, most Santa Monica cafes, boba shops, 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 also home compostable, BPI certified (listing #10529008), and CMA certified. See the full bamboo fiber vs paper vs PLA vs PHA comparison.

Products for Santa Monica 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, stock product in our own warehouse in Los Angeles County, and deliver to businesses across the Westside, including Santa Monica, Venice, and West Los Angeles. Pickups are by appointment only. Our parent company has been in the import and distribution business since 1979.

Also see our pages on Malibu's plastic and bioplastic ban and the LA County and California rules. For every city that bans PLA straws, see our list of cities that ban PLA straws.

Try them in your own drinks

We send free samples to Santa Monica 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.