A new law restricting restaurants from providing single-use utensils and condiments goes into effect soon.
Starting August 1, New Jersey restaurants, cafés, coffee shops, food trucks, and other food service businesses will no longer be allowed to automatically hand out single-use utensils and condiment packets with orders. The rule applies to orders placed in-person, by phone, online, or through delivery apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats.
The new “Skip the Stuff” law—AKA, S3195—requires customers to actively request disposable forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks, napkins, and condiment packets when placing a carryout order with a restaurant. Online ordering platforms must default to “no utensils or condiments,” requiring customers to manually opt in if they want them. Businesses must only provide what the customer specifically asks for. They are not required to carry the items at all.
The law also affects dine-in service. Full-service restaurants with seating for 10 or more must provide reusable, washable utensils for on-site dining instead of disposable cutlery like plastic forks and knives.
The changes are part of New Jersey’s broader effort to reduce single-use plastics, according to the NJDEP. It builds on a 2022 ban on single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene foam food containers, and a 2021 requirement that plastic straws be provided only upon request.
Dates to Know
- August 1, 2026: Skip the Stuff takes effect statewide
- August 1, 2027: Bundled packs containing multiple disposable utensils or condiments are prohibited; self-service stations dispensing individual items remain permitted in certain settings
- August 1, 2028: Food court vendors must comply
There are some exemptions for the new rules, including K-12 schools, licensed health care facilities, and county and state correctional facilities. Prepackaged food products that include utensils or condiments attached during manufacturing are also exempt, as are single-use sauce cups served with specialty menu items.
Businesses that don’t comply will receive a warning for a first violation, followed by a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for a second offense and up to $5,000 for a third or subsequent violation within a 12-month period. Fines collected go to the Clean Communities Program Fund, with municipalities and county health entities retaining 30% of any penalties they collect.
So, next time you order Chinese or pizza, be sure to ask for forks and knives if you need them.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.