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New Jersey's 'Skip the Stuff' law takes effect, banning plastic utensils and changing takeout orders
6abc Philadelphia • • business
Key Points:
- Starting Saturday, New Jersey restaurants will no longer automatically provide plastic utensils with food orders due to the new "Skip the Stuff" law, requiring customers to request them if needed.
- The law applies to dine-in, takeout, delivery, and drive-thru orders, and also restricts automatic inclusion of straws, napkins, and condiment packets for takeout and delivery.
- Food delivery apps will update their default settings so utensils and condiments are only included upon customer request.
- Sit-down restaurants must provide reusable silverware for dine-in customers, and non-compliance may lead to warnings and fines ranging from $100 to $250 for repeat offenses.
- The law includes exemptions, such as a two-year grace period for restaurants in food courts, and aims to reduce plastic waste across the state.
