Compliant Straws and Utensils for SFO Airport Concessions
At San Francisco International Airport (SFO), every single use straw, utensil, stirrer, and other food ware item sold by a concession must be reusable or BPI certified compostable, or made entirely of natural fiber. Plastic straws are not allowed, and neither are PLA "compostable plastic" straws, because San Francisco law bans them citywide. KGPeco bamboo fiber straws are BPI certified (listing #10529008), contain no plastic or PLA, and already supply SFO concessions.
What SFO requires
SFO's Zero Waste Concessions Program is part of the airport's goal to become the first zero waste airport, and it sits on top of San Francisco's citywide rules. In summary:
- Reusable or BPI certified compostable. Single use food ware and accessories, including straws, utensils, stirrers, lids, and chopsticks, must be reusable, certified compostable by BPI, or made entirely of natural fiber such as paper, wood, or bamboo.
- No plastic or PLA straws. San Francisco has restricted plastic straws since July 1, 2019, including compostable plastic (PLA) straws. Natural fiber straws are the accepted single use option.
- Certification for fiber straws. Since January 1, 2020, natural fiber and paper straws sold in San Francisco must be certified by BPI or TUV Austria. KGPeco straws are listed with BPI.
- Free of fluorinated chemicals (PFAS). Compostable food ware must be PFAS free. KGPeco bamboo fiber straws and cutlery are PFAS free.
- Accessories on request. Utensils, stirrers, and similar accessories may only be given on request or from a self service station.
- Plastic free beverages. SFO also requires beverages to be sold in reusable, aluminum, glass, or BPI certified compostable containers.
SFO tenant guidance has also called for compostable items to be labeled as compostable, with green color coding. KGPeco paper wrapped straws are printed in green with "100% home compostable" and the BPI compostable mark, so the label travels with every straw. Concession operators should still confirm current approval steps with SFO's sustainability team before switching products. This page is a plain language summary, not legal advice. Sources: EPA case study of SFO's Zero Waste Concessions Program and SF Environment purchasing guidelines.
Why concessions choose bamboo fiber
Airport drinks sit. A traveler buys a boba tea or an iced coffee before security and is still drinking it at the gate an hour later. Paper straws soften within minutes and can leave a papery taste; bamboo fiber stays firm for hours in cold and hot drinks and adds no taste. That means fewer complaints and fewer replacement straws at the counter. See the full bamboo fiber vs paper vs PLA vs PHA comparison.
Products for SFO concessions
- 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, individually paper wrapped options for grab and go service.
- Smoothie and shake straws: 8 mm, 9 inch.
- Cocktail straws: 6 mm, 5 inch, for airport bars and lounges.
- Bamboo fiber cutlery: forks, knives, spoons, sporks, and soup spoons. The fork, spoon, and spork are CMA certified.
Every product page lists case counts, case weight, and price per piece. Custom printed paper wrappers are available for larger programs.
Supply you can count on
KGPeco imports directly and ships from our own warehouse in Los Angeles County, with supply chain experience going back to 1979. We ship to SFO concessions, Bay Area restaurants, and distributors who serve airport tenants. See our San Francisco and Bay Area guide and the full list of cities that ban PLA straws.
Free samples for airport operators
We send free samples to concession operators and their distributors so you can test them in real service. Request free samples, see wholesale ordering, or call 323-880-0899.