Request for Proposals to Conduct Technical Assistance for Education on Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinances in Sonoma County

August 22, 2025

Zero Waste Sonoma (AGENCY) is seeking proposals for technical assistance for commercial entities in Sonoma County. As of 2023, all jurisdictions in Sonoma County have adopted a version of the AGENCY’S model Disposable Food Ware and Polystyrene Foam Ban Ordinance. The ordinance prohibits food service providers from selling, using, or providing polystyrene foam and requires them to instead sell, use, and provide locally recyclable or compostable food ware.

The primary objectives of this project are to:

1. Identify and provide technical assistance to food service providers who use the largest amount of disposable food ware in their current operations. The number of sites identified in each jurisdiction should be proportional to the size of the population of the jurisdiction.
2. Promote the use of compliant products and encourage waste reduction and long-term cost savings through reusables and customer bring your own (BYO) food ware options whenever possible, even if a food provider is not required by ordinance to do so.
3. Collect data on outreach effectiveness, business adoption, barriers to full compliance, and suggestions for project improvement.
4. Integrate an equity lens into all work performed on this project to ensure that generators and facilities owned or operated by historically underrepresented and underserved communities are just as successful in implementing the desired programs.
5. Develop a case study of five food service providers who switch from single-use food service ware items to reusable alternatives, taking advantage of the ZWS Reuse Mini-Grant.

Exhibit A details the Scope of Work requested by the AGENCY for this RFP. The budget for this project is $75,000, with an option to renew the contract for an additional year, with mutual agreement by both parties and approval by the Zero Waste Sonoma Board of Directors.

All data and information furnished by the AGENCY or referred to in this RFP are furnished for the PROPOSERS’ convenience. The AGENCY does not guarantee that such data and information are accurate and assumes no responsibility whatsoever as to their accuracy or interpretation. PROPOSERS shall satisfy themselves as to the accuracy or interpretation of all such information or data.

Proposals are due September 24, 2025, 5:00pm PT.

• ZWS Food Ware Ordinance and Reusables TA RFP (0kb)
• RFP Questions and Answers (0kb)