Two Oregon laws you need to know about!
Changes are happening with dishware rules at Oregon food serving businesses. New laws allow food to be served into containers customers bring on their own. Also, Oregon recently banned food businesses from using PFAS and polystyrene, commonly known as Styrofoam™— for food and drink containers. Now is an excellent time to look at what serviceware you use to serve food. You can learn more and get free support at Choose2Reuse.org.
Two Oregon laws you need to know about!
Let your customers BYO!
Oregon law allows customers to bring their own containers to participating restaurants and food carts for takeout food, beverages, and leftovers. This saves restaurants money, reduces single-use waste, and makes customers happy.
Specific guidelines cover the kinds of containers and how the containers may be used that align with public health code. Our easy-to-use resources can help you accommodate customers who bring their own containers, so you can start saving money. There's free local support to get you set up.
Polystyrene / PFAS ban
Oregon recently banned food businesses from using PFAS and polystyrene foam containers—commonly known as Styrofoam™—for food and drinks. Polystyrene foam is banned because it creates litter, ends up in rivers and oceans, and harms wildlife. PFAS has been banned because of its health effects.
If you currently use polystyrene foam or PFAS containers, now is an excellent time to encourage customers to bring their own containers (a new statewide law allows it!) and consider switching from single-use items to reusable serviceware.
Local success story: adding reusable cup options
These are small, doable changes that can make a big impact, as noted by Clinton Street Coffeehouse: “It can feel like we are only taking small steps, but we know that if we can shift consumer behavior and suggest new norms for our coffee consumption, all our small steps can really add up,” said Kate Lor, the store manager. “In the last year, we estimate to have saved over 30,000 disposable cups!” [Source: 2024 article]
Visit Choose2Reuse.org for more information, FREE support and helpful resources to share with your staff and customers.
