Int. No. 2185
By Council Members Van Bramer, Rosenthal, Powers and Dromm
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to reusable eating utensils for dine-in customers
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 4 of title 20 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new subchapter 13 to read as follows:
Subchapter 13: Non-reusable Eating Utensils
§ 20-699.7 Non-reusable Eating Utensils for Dining In a. Definitions. For purposes of this chapter:
Dine-in. The term “dine-in” means relating to or offering food that is eaten in the food service establishment where it is ordered rather than being taken away.
Eating utensil. The term “eating utensil” means a tool used for eating and drinking, including but not limited to, plates, bowls, knives, forks, spoons, chopsticks, cups, and lids, but does not include stirrers and straws.
Food service establishment. The term “food service establishment” means a place where food is provided for individual portion service directly to the consumer whether such food is provided free of charge or sold, and whether consumption occurs on or off the premises pursuant to subdivision s of section 81.03 of the health code of the city of New York.
b. The department shall conduct a study on the feasibility of restricting the use of non-reusable eating utensils for dine-in customers at all food service establishments in the city. The department shall issue a report to the mayor and the speaker of the council 150 days after the effective date of this section that shall include, but not be limited to:
1. Financial impact to food service establishments and customers;
2. Potential weight of waste reduction of reducing non-reusable utensils;
3. Potential environmental benefits from the potential waste reduction, including single-use plastic reduction. Such potential benefits shall include, if possible, reduced trucking of waste and impacts of reduced landfilling and incineration of waste;
4. Impact of dishwashing services including, but not limited to commercial dishwashing services;
5. Safety and cleanliness guidelines, including how to determine dishwashing capacity and staffing requirements; and
6. Potential cost savings to the department and city for the collection, processing, transportation, litter removal, and disposal of non-reusable utensils, condiment packets and napkins.
§ 2. This local law takes effect 6 months after it becomes law.
LA 9833
NKA
11/24/2020