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New Jersey lawmakers are considering a bill that would require restaurants to provide single-use plastic utensils and condiment packets only upon request. This initiative, led by State Senator Bob Smith, aims to reduce plastic waste without completely banning these items. The proposed legislation builds on similar "skip the stuff" ordinances already in place in cities like Hoboken and Jersey City.
Senator Smith, who chairs the Senate's environment committee, believes that many residents do not want plasticware included in their takeout orders unless specifically requested. "Now, people just get it and then throw it away," Smith told the New Jersey Monitor. The bill, which has already advanced through committee, would apply to various establishments, including restaurants, food trucks, grocery stores, and schools.
Supporters of the bill argue that it will help reduce the plastic waste that harms the environment, while critics express concerns about the potential costs of switching to reusable utensils. Smith hopes the bill will pass the full Legislature before the summer recess in June.
Waste360 reports that similar measures have been enacted in other municipalities and are part of a broader effort to minimize unnecessary waste in New Jersey.