Boston requires food establishments to provide single-use utensils, straws, condiment packets, and napkins only when a customer requests them, reducing the default packaging given with takeout and delivery orders.
Boston's 2022 executive order and follow-on Public Works rules implement an upon-request model for single-use foodware accessories. Restaurants and third-party delivery platforms cannot pre-bundle plastic utensils, straws, stirrers, or condiment packets in takeout orders unless the customer affirmatively asks. Online order forms must let customers opt in rather than opt out. The rule complements Boston's polystyrene ban and bag fee, and it applies to delivery apps operating within city limits. Plastic stirrers and splash sticks are banned outright, and any straws provided must be non-plastic by default unless a customer specifically requests a plastic straw for medical reasons.
Food establishments that auto-bundle utensils or use opt-out checkout flows can be cited by ISD or Public Works, with fines up to $300 per day for repeat violations after warnings.
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See how Boston's utensils-on-request rules stack up against other locations.
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