Mayor Victorino postpones implementation of plastic disposable foodware ban to March 1, 2022

News Release from Maui County, Dec 30, 2021

Mayor Michael Victorino signed an emergency proclamation today that suspends the effective date of the Maui County Disposable Foodware Ordinance (No. 5084) until March 1, 2022.

Local businesses affected by the ban on plastic foodware have been concerned about their ability to comply with the ordinance with its original effective date of Jan. 1, 2022.

“I want to support businesses that face enormous challenges in this ongoing pandemic,” Mayor Victorino said. “COVID-related supply chain disruptions have caused severe shortages of supplies and delays in shipping. I have provided this grace period to help businesses survive, while I remain in full support of this ordinance to replace plastic foodware with compostable alternatives.”

The extension of the effective date of the ordinance will allow businesses more time to comply with the new law without being penalized.

The County of Maui Department of Environmental Management will continue to help businesses prepare for full compliance. Several businesses are already using compliant foodware while others have applied for temporary exemptions to allow them time to receive shipments of new products.

The new ordinance bans the sale, use or provision of plastic disposable food service containers and utensils such as plates, trays, bowls, cups and hinged (lunch plate) containers. Other banned items include forks, knives, spoons and straws. Polystyrene foam coolers are also prohibited.

For more information on Plastic Disposable Foodware Ordinance No. 5084, please visit: www.mauicounty.gov/plasticfree.

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Plastic disposal foodware ban effective on New Year’s Day

News Release from Maui County, Dec 22, 2021

The County of Maui Plastic Disposable Foodware Ordinance No. 5084 will go into effect on New Year’s Day 2022. The ban will affect businesses that package food or beverages to order (take-out, deli counter, and drinks), as well as businesses that sell these items for use. Instead, businesses will provide non-plastic products that are safer for the environment. 

Banned items include plastic disposable food service containers and utensils such forks, spoons and knives, and plates, trays, bowls, cups, hinged (plate lunch) containers and straws.

“The end of single-use plastic foodware doesn’t mean the end of convenience,” Mayor Michael Victorino said. “Alternatives include compostable utensils made from paper, plant starch, bamboo and sugar cane, among others. For Christmas, please consider giving a friend who likes take-out food a zero-waste, eco-friendly utensil kit. We can all aspire to achieve ‘zero-waste’ in Maui County by making small changes that make a big difference in helping our environment. Remember: reduce, reuse, recycle and compost waste materials.”

Beginning Jan. 1, residents can expect that:

• When shopping at local retail stores, utensils, cups, plates, and other types of disposable foodware will be non-plastic. 
• Takeout food will be served in non-plastic containers.
• Utensils and straws must be non-plastic, and will be provided by request only.
• Disposable foam coolers will be banned for sale or use.
• Plastic containers used for “prepackaged food” will be allowed, but it is discouraged.

The Maui County Environmental Protection and Sustainability Division is helping businesses affected by the ordinance to prepare. A number of businesses, such as those experiencing COVID-19 related shipping and supply delays, are being granted temporary exemptions; so folks may see some plastic foodware still being used in the coming months. County-approved exemption notices will be posted at each business location that has been granted an exemption.

For more information on Plastic Disposable Foodware Ordinance No. 5084, please visit: http://www.mauicounty.gov/plasticfree