Vendor Sustainability & Plastic-Free Requirements

Before You Apply

Malibu is committed to protecting its beaches, ocean, wildlife, waterways, and surrounding natural environment. Vendors play an important role in helping reduce plastic waste and supporting more sustainable practices.

All vendors and new applicants are responsible for complying with applicable City of Malibu plastic-reduction and sustainable-material requirements.

Before purchasing supplies or submitting your vendor application, please make sure your packaging, bags, foodware, utensils, and other disposable materials meet the requirements below.

No Plastic Straws, Stirrers or Cutlery

Single-use plastic and bioplastic straws, stirrers, forks, knives, spoons, sporks, and similar utensils are prohibited.

This includes items advertised as:

• Compostable plastic

• Biodegradable plastic

• Plant-based plastic

• Bioplastic

Choose non-plastic alternatives such as paper, bamboo, wood, sugar cane, or other compliant materials.

Disposable non-plastic straws, stirrers, and cutlery should be provided only when requested by the customer.

Malibu Municipal Code § 9.24.045

No Polystyrene Foam

Prohibited polystyrene foam foodware may not be used or distributed.

This includes many foam:

• Cups and plates

• Bowls and trays

• Clamshell and takeout containers

• Meat and fish trays

• Egg cartons

• Packing materials and containers

Disposable food service ware must meet applicable compostability or recyclability requirements.

Malibu Municipal Code Chapter 9.24

No Single-Use Plastic Shopping Bags

Vendors may not provide single-use plastic or compostable-plastic shopping bags to customers.

Customers are encouraged to bring reusable bags.

If recycled paper carryout bags are provided, vendors must follow applicable City and State requirements, including any required customer bag charge.

Malibu Municipal Code Chapter 9.28

A Note About “Compostable” Products

Check the material—not just the label.

A product marketed as compostable, biodegradable, plant-based, or eco-friendly may still contain plastic and may not comply with Malibu’s requirements.

When purchasing straws, stirrers, cutlery, foodware, bags, or packaging, vendors should confirm that the product meets applicable City requirements before using it.

Vendor Checklist

Before applying or participating, confirm that:

• I do not use plastic or bioplastic straws, stirrers, or disposable cutlery.

• My disposable straws, stirrers, and cutlery are non-plastic and provided only upon request.

• I do not use prohibited polystyrene foam foodware.

• My disposable food service ware meets applicable requirements.

• I do not provide single-use plastic or compostable-plastic shopping bags.

• If I provide paper carryout bags, I follow applicable City and State requirements.

• I will verify unfamiliar products or materials before using them.

Applicant Acknowledgment

By submitting a vendor application, I acknowledge that I have reviewed the Vendor Sustainability & Plastic-Free Requirements and understand that I am responsible for ensuring that the products, packaging, bags, foodware, and service materials used in my operation comply with applicable City of Malibu requirements.