You can still get fries with that — but maybe not a fork or ketchup packet.
Two New Jersey towns — Garwood and Red Bank — have adopted ordinances that prohibit restaurants from offering single-use plastic utensils and condiments with takeout food, unless customers explicitly request it.
The local laws are part of a movement called “Skip the Stuff” organized by the nonprofit Clean Water Action to build support for a broader statewide policy that would apply to all food service businesses. New Jersey prohibits single-use plastic bags and most paper bags, but it does not have a policy for disposable straws, cutlery, condiments, or other food and beverage accessories.
“It’s a win-win for the environment, for the restaurant owners, and for the customers. This is one small step in (the) effort of reducing unnecessary toxic plastic pollution,” said Marta Young, a New Jersey-based zero-waste specialist with Clean Water Action.
There are several dozen other towns working toward passing their own ordinances prohibiting single-use cutlery and condiments, said Young.
Food providers said they aren’t against reducing waste, but they would rather implement the changes voluntarily, instead of through directed mandates, said Amanda Stone, director of government affairs for the New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association.
“We certainly understand the need to increase sustainability efforts in not just our industry, but all industries. Restaurant owners and operators have focused on implementing procedures to not only reduce food waste but also increase sustainability in their businesses for decades, with many making changes prior to any mandates. For example, numerous restaurants removed plastic straws and single-use plastic bags from their businesses long before the recent state ban was signed into law,” said Stone.
“We support home rule and appreciate municipalities having the opportunity to make their own decisions on this important issue. However, we believe it would be more beneficial to educate – not mandate – businesses on the importance of this matter and provide tangible resources on how to incorporate sustainability practices and the use of eco-friendly products in their establishments,” Stone said.
A few towns have had limitations on plastic cutlery for years. Stone Harbor and Avalon passed laws prohibiting disposable plastic cutlery in 2018. Camden County has banned plastic utensils, styrofoam food containers and single-serve disposable plastic water bottles at its county facilities and county-sponsored events since 2020.
The United Nations estimates the world is producing nearly 474 million tons of plastic per year, on average. Over time, these plastics break down into tiny particles that can then enter our bloodstream through drinking water, food, using personal products and even just breathing.
MORE: Sorry, you’re still recycling wrong. Experts talk N.J.’s worst waste habits.
A study on mice published last year showed that plastic in its smallest form can cross the brain-blood barrier and increase the risk of certain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
The council in Red Bank unanimously adopted its ordinance pertaining to plastic cutlery and condiments earlier this month, borough clerk Laura Reinertsen said. The ordinance amends an existing law prohibiting single-use plastic and Polystyrene foam containers to include plastic utensils, condiment packets, napkins, and extra containers, and is effective April 22.
Local business leaders asked the council to rollout education for businesses and customers around the new ordinance.
“Can we wait a little while longer for enforcement of this?” asked Bob Zuckerman, executive director of the Red Bank RiverCenter, during a Feb. 8 council meeting. The Red Bank River Center is a nonprofit formed in 1991 to manage Red Bank’s Special Improvement District.
“It gives not just the environmental committee time to educate the restaurants but it gives us time to assist you in that process,” said Zuckerman.
Red Bank ultimately agreed to delay enforcement of the law until July 3, to allow time for businesses to comply.
Officials in Garwood voted 5-1 on March 21 to approve their ordinance prohibiting food providers from offering single-use food and beverage accessories — such as utensils, condiment packets, straws, and stirs — except upon customer’s request.
The new law “isn’t meant to be a burden” for local food providers, said Garwood Mayor Jen Blumenstock.
“This isn’t something where we’re looking to bring the hammer down on people. There’s going to be a lot of education coming out for both residents and the businesses about this change. It’s really meant to encourage compliance and encourage everyone to do their part,” said Blumenstock on Friday.
The municipal laws are not the same as outright bans. Customers can still ask restaurants for single-use cutlery and a handful of ketchup packets with their delivery and takeout orders. The items just won’t be provided automatically anymore.
There’s also another caveat. Neither town’s ordinance prevents restaurants from establishing a self-service area where customers can grab their own utensils and condiment packets.
A bill (A5331) for a statewide law was introduced by Rep. Herb Conway, D-Burlington, in March of last year. The legislation was referred to the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee. In addition to passing the Assembly, it would also need to clear the state Senate before arriving at Gov. Phil Murphy’s desk for consideration.
New Jersey’s statewide plastic bag ban took effect in May 2022.
A review by the NJ Plastics Advisory Council – a panel within the Department of Environmental Protection – found that 5.5 billion single-use plastic bags and 110 million single-use paper bags were kept out of landfills in the first seven months the ban took effect.
The nonprofit Clean Ocean Action also noted the organization’s beach cleanups from Cape May to Sandy Hook showed a drop in plastic garbage from 2021 to 2022, with a 37% drop in plastic bags, a 39% decline in plastic straws, and a 37% drop in foam waste.
Stories by Jackie Roman
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Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com.