New Jersey will implement a “skip the stuff” law this year, wherein food service establishments will only provide single-use utensils and condiment packets when a customer requests them. Signing the law was one of former Gov. Phil Murphy’s final acts of his tenure.
The law also stipulates that full-service restaurants that can seat 10 or more patrons provide reusable utensils for dine-in customers. Additionally, it calls for an approximately six-month education campaign to inform consumers about the financial and environmental benefits of reducing use of disposable utensils and condiment packets.
The changes take effect Aug. 1. There are exemptions for school cafeterias, healthcare and correctional facilities.
New Jersey’s law builds on local action; more than 60 towns throughout the state had already adopted such provisions, advocates reported. With this plastic reduction policy, New Jersey joins states including California and Washington, whose laws date back to 2021, as well as major cities such as New York, which adopted its law in 2023.
“Every fork and ketchup packet adds up,” said Marta Young, zero waste specialist with environmental advocacy group Clean Water Action, in a statement. “We thank New Jersey’s legislative champions and local advocates for understanding that small things cause big problems and for providing a great model for other states to follow.”
“Skip the Stuff is common-sense legislation to reduce plastic waste and pollution and keep millions of kitchen junk drawers free of unneeded plastic utensils from home delivery. This law ensures that people get what they ask for and will reduce plastic litter and single-use plastics that can’t be recycled,” added Doug O’Malley, director of Environment New Jersey.
Across the U.S, so-called “skip the stuff” bills are a plastic reduction policy targeting food takeout waste, along with bans on foam containers and plastic bag restrictions and fees.
New Jersey has explored other types of packaging policies, too. In 2022, the state adopted a comprehensive minimum recycled content law for packaging. During the 2024-2025 legislative session, lawmakers considered bills on extended producer responsibility for packaging, recyclability labeling and even rightsizing boxes. That two-year session ended on Jan. 13.
