Food service businesses in the city of Santa Cruz must now switch all “to-go” containers, lids, straws and cutlery to those that are compostable, biodegradable, or recyclable. That’s because the 6-month grace period is over for the new City Of Santa Cruz Environmentally Acceptable Food Packaging And Products Ordinance that was signed into law September 26th of 2017. Food providers in the city of Santa Cruz may only give straws, lids, cutlery and to-go condiment packages upon the request of the customer. Additionally, food service providers are encouraged to charge a take-out fee of 25 cents for disposable cups, lids, straws, stirrers and/or utensils, and they are also encouraged to provide a 25 cent credit for customers who bring their own reusable containers for to-go items. To view the revised ordinance, people can go on-line to: www.cityofsantcruz.com/polystyrene