NYC mandates reusable food containers in fast-food establishments

A group of New York City (NYC) officials has introduced a new bill that mandates fast-food establishments to use reusable containers.

The bill, called ‘Choose To Reuse’, was proposed by City Council members Marjorie Velázquez, Keith Powers, Erik Bottcher, and Sandy Nurse, with support from Manhattan Borough president Mark Levine.

The bill prohibits food service establishments from providing non-reusable eating utensils or containers to dine-in customers unless requested.

Moreover, it requires all fast-food establishments in NYC to provide returnable food packaging options to customers and establish a return system for such packaging.

Failure to comply with the new bill will result in civil penalties.

According to a report from ABC7 New York, NYC generates 14 million tonnes of waste each year, primarily composed of 23 billion single-use food service items.