Sustainability Commission Proposes Ordinance Change

June 28, 2022 UPDATE:

The Village Board of Trustees approved the ordinance as recommended, with the following changes:

• Clarify language in title of ordinance
• Change Sytrofoam to polystyrene foam

The ordinance goes into effect Friday, August 26, 2022. The ordinance in full is available here. 

May 11, 2022 UPDATE: 

At the May 10, 2022 meeting, the Sustainability Commission heard input from members of the public and recommended the below changes to the ordinance. The Village Board of Trustees will consider this ordinance at their May 23, 2022 meeting. 

• Change the title of the ordinance from Single Use Plastics to Single Use Foodware
• Section 2: in the definition of single use foodware, add plastic straws to the definition and exclude paper straws from the definition
• Section 2: 6-5-2 Q. 2a: change "in excess of" to "greater than" 170 degrees Fahrenheit
• Section 2: 6-5-2 Q. 2e: strike drive-thru exception
• Section 2: 6-5-2 Q. 3: add language: "Other Plastics. Businesses in the Village are encouraged to make every effort to reduce use of plastic bags, Styrofoam and excess packaging.”
• Section 7: allow 60 days for implementation

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A public meeting will be held by the Village of River Forest Sustainability Commission on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, 7PM, at Village Hall and via Zoom, regarding a proposed ordinance for single-use foodware. 

Click here for full meeting information.

The change that is being proposed by the Sustainability Commission is to require that places for eating and places distributing beverages or food sold for human consumption only hand out single-use foodware for take-out and delivery orders at the customer’s request, meaning customers would “opt-in” to receive them. Single-use foodware are items designed and intended for only one usage before being discarded. Single-use foodware is defined below. Notably, this proposed ordinance would not tax nor prohibit the distribution of single-use foodware. Rather, the purpose of this ordinance is to limit the unnecessary distribution of single-use plastics, which generates a significant amount of waste.

A list of businesses that would be subject to this change can be found below. Businesses are being contacted directly to notify them of this proposed change. All are welcome to attend this public meeting to learn more and/or provide comments on this proposed change.

Affected Businesses

Proposed changes to Title 6, Health and Sanitation, of the Village Code are as follows.

6-5-1: DEFINITIONS:

SELF-SERVICE STATION: An area dedicated to customers taking away single-use foodware and condiments.

SINGLE-USE FOODWARE: Any eating utensil or other item to be used as part of food or beverage service that is designed and intended by the manufacturer for only one usage before being discarded, including forks, spoons, sporks, knifes, chopsticks, other eating utensils, stirrers, drink stoppers, splash sticks, cocktail sticks, toothpicks, napkins, wet-wipes, cup sleeves, beverage trays, disposable plates, and condiment packets. “Single-use foodware” does not include straws, beverage lids, or items used to contain or package food or beverages for delivery or take-out orders.

6-5-2.Q.: SINGLE-USE FOODWARE:

1. Requirements. In connection with any delivery or take-out order of food or beverage, a food establishment may only provide single-use foodware upon request from the customer or at a self-service station. Food establishments shall provide options for customers to affirmatively request single-use foodware when ordering food and beverages for delivery or take-out across all ordering or point of sale platforms, including internet enabled applications, digital platforms, phone orders, and in-person ordering. The Village Administrator is authorized to establish, by rule, a standard sign for use by food establishments in connection with this Subsection.
2. Exceptions. This Section shall not apply to:
   1. Single-use foodware necessary to address safety concerns, such as lids, drink stoppers, beverage trays and cup sleeves for beverages served at an average temperature in excess of 170 degrees Fahrenheit;
   2. A food vending machine, as defined in Section 6-6-1 of the Village Code;
   3. Any single-use foodware that is prepackaged with or attached to any food or beverage products by the manufacturer prior to receipt by the food establishment;
   4. Any charitable food establishment;
   5. Single-use foodware provided in connection with any food or beverage order fulfilled at a drive-through facility; and
   6. A food establishment granted a waiver by the Village Administrator. Any waiver granted by the Village Administrator shall be reported, in writing, to the Village President and Board of Trustees.

Anyone with questions regarding the proposed change or public meeting should contact Sara Phyfer, Management Analyst and Sustainability Commission Staff Liaison at sphyfer@vrf.us or 708-714-3521.