New Jersey ‘Skip the Stuff’ Law: Takeout Utensils Now by Request Only
Restaurants must now provide plastic utensils, straws, napkins and condiment packets only when customers ask, and larger dine-in spots must offer reusable utensils.
- On Saturday, New Jersey's new 'Skip the Stuff' law took effect, requiring restaurants to stop automatically including plastic utensils, napkins, straws, and condiment packets with takeout and delivery orders unless customers specifically request them.
- Vice President of Public Affairs Amanda Stone said the policy helps restaurants move toward sustainability, noting it reduces unnecessary plastic waste and cuts business costs on disposable supplies that often end up discarded.
- Delivery platforms like Uber Eats and Seamless must now offer customers the option to request items, while restaurant owners like Jose Lopez at Haddon Diner and Vaneet Chopra at Cross Culture Indian Cuisine adjust their takeout processes accordingly.
- Businesses face warnings for first offenses, followed by $100 and $250 fines for repeat violations. Customers remain divided, with some supporting the sustainability effort while others worry about forgetting to request needed utensils.
- Establishments with seating for at least 10 people must provide reusable utensils for dine-in customers, while penalties fund the Clean Communities Program Fund. Food court vendors must begin following the rules Aug. 1, 2028.
13 Articles
13 Articles
New Jersey takeout orders default to 'no utensils' as plastic cutlery ban begins
As of Saturday, takeout orders in New Jersey generally stopped coming with plastic utensils, napkins, and condiment packets. Under the state's "Skip the Stuff" law, single-use extras are no longer included with many food orders unless a customer asks for them, according to Fox 29. What's happening? The rule applies to off-premises orders across the Garden State, meaning restaurants, food trucks, and third-party delivery platforms must not includ…
A New Law Is Changing The Way You Order Takeout
A new law that went into effect on August 1 has changed the way you order takeout in New Jersey. Under the “Skip the Stuff” law, restaurants can no longer automatically pack single-use plastic utensils, straws, or condiment packets with to-go orders, and customers who want those items must now specifically request them. The law was signed by then-Democratic Governor Phil Murphy in January and took effect last week. Its purpose is to reduce plast…
Syracuse NY
Staten Island AdvanceOne state’s new law will change way you order take out from restaurants
Here's what the "Skip the Stuff" law means.
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