"Skip the Stuff" Legislation
The New Jersey State Legislature passed the “Skip the Stuff” Law, Senate Bill 3195, in January 2026. The Bill, aimed at reducing unnecessary single-use plastic waste in food service, went into effect as of August 1, 2026. Similar to previous laws passed by the State of New Jersey for single-use plastic carryout bags and plastic straws, the new legislation makes significant changes to the use and distribution of single-use condiments and plastic cutlery. Restaurants, food trucks, cafes, diners, takeout/delivery services, drive-thrus and on-line ordering platforms cannot automatically include plastic utensils, condiment packets or plastic straws with meals. Customers must specifically ask for these items, either in-person, on-line or over the phone, in order for them to be included with their meal. In addition, restaurants with 10 + seats must now provide reusable, washable utensils for dine-in meals. Condiments should be served in bottles or portion cups. Bundled packs for cutlery should be replaced, when requested, with individual items (i.e. one fork, one spoon…).
New Guideline for the Skip the Stuff Law, opens PDF document
Please visit the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Website at https://dep.nj.gov/get-past-plastic/condiments-utensils-straws/ to read more about the new law
Links for Support Materials and Documents:
https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/get-past-plastic/outreach/nj-gpp-condiment-dispenser.pdf
https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/get-past-plastic/outreach/nj-gpp-cutlery-dispenser.pdf
https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/get-past-plastic/outreach/nj-gpp-drive-thru.pdf
https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/get-past-plastic/outreach/nj-gpp-single-use-law.pdf
https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/get-past-plastic/outreach/nj-gpp-ctc-business-flyer.pdf