Boulder's Universal Zero Waste Ordinance (BRC §6-13) and supporting administrative rules require restaurants and delivery platforms to provide disposable utensils, straws, and condiment packets only when the customer affirmatively requests them.
Under Boulder's Universal Zero Waste Ordinance (BRC §6-13, expanded 2020-2023), retail food establishments — including restaurants, food trucks, ghost kitchens, and third-party delivery platforms — may not include disposable utensils, napkins, straws, stirrers, or single-serve condiment packets in takeout or delivery orders unless the customer specifically asks for them. Online ordering interfaces must default to off. The intent is to reduce contamination of compost streams and curb landfill bulk. Self-serve dispensers inside dining rooms are permitted. The rule supports Cool Boulder green-clean goals and complements Colorado's HB21-1162 polystyrene ban. Compostable utensils are still subject to the on-request rule because compost contamination, not material type, is the driver.
Auto-including disposable utensils, straws, or condiment packets without a customer request can result in written warnings followed by administrative penalties from Boulder's Climate Initiatives compliance team under BRC §6-13.
See how Boulder's utensils-on-request rules stack up against other locations.
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