🍴 “Skipping the Stuff” in 24 Towns and Counties Across NJ! 🚫
We’ve all been there. You order takeout and might even remember to ask for no “stuff”— only to get the bag home and find plastic utensils, condiment packets, and tons of napkins that you don’t need. Perhaps you, too, shove these into an overflowing kitchen drawer that eventually gets emptied into the trash. With over 561 billion disposable food service items used every year in the U.S., that’s nearly 5 million tons of (preventable) waste!
That’s where Skip the Stuff comes in. 🍴🚫
This simple waste reduction policy flips the script—instead of customers automatically receiving single-use takeout items with every order, restaurants only provide these items when customers specifically request them.
It's a small shift that is a win-win for everyone involved.
💲 Restaurants benefit from cost savings;
🗑️ Customers (and their kitchen drawers) benefit from more control; and
🌎 The planet benefits from less single-use plastic pollution.
At the time of this newsletter, 24 local Skip the Stuff laws have passed in New Jersey in the following locations: Stone Harbor, Maplewood, Cape May, Avalon, Camden County, Oceanport, Long Branch, Sea Bright, Red Bank, Garwood, Atlantic Highlands (passed a resolution), Hoboken, Monmouth Beach, Aberdeen, Westfield, Eatontown, Jersey City, Neptune Township, Montclair, Mt Laurel, Glen Rock, Springfield, Lavallette and Livingston.
Bravo, New Jersey towns and counties! 👏
Marta Young, Clean Water Action’s New Jersey Zero Waste Specialist said that the data is too compelling for municipalities and businesses to ignore:
“Clean Water Action's Red Bank Case Study shows businesses are saving money by not giving away disposable cutlery and condiments in take-out orders that are more often than not simply thrown away unused. The study shows a 94% reduction in cutlery and condiments provided, and customers are thrilled not to have unnecessary 'stuff' to store. As more and more towns learn about the financial and health benefits of reducing plastic, they join the campaign that now has 24 NJ municipal "Skip the Stuff" ordinances. At the state level, there are 10 strong sponsors of Senate bill 3195 and Assembly bill 5157 with more working to join soon”.
Our fantastic local group, Beyond Plastics New Jersey has made local and state Skip the Stuff legislation a priority. 🔝
Lois Kraus, co-founder of the group said,
“Overwhelmingly, restaurants were supportive of a take-out model where customers opt-in for cutlery and condiments as it saves them time and money. They appreciate the reduction of unnecessary waste. We’ve also found that engaging students in this campaign has been very effective and rewarding. Students are often frequent purchasers of take-out food and Beyond Plastics New Jersey has supported five local STS initiatives being driven by NJ high schoolers.”
Sofia Calderon is one of those students and shared why others should get involved,
"Skip the Stuff is a smart and simple ordinance that can be enacted in any town. It doesn't matter how old you are, you simply have to have a passion for bettering your town and educating your neighbors. Skip the Stuff is not only great for the environment but it's an opportunity to enrich our towns and connect resident's interests with that of their local community."
Landon Hoberman, a student leading efforts in Lavallette, added,
“It’s a win-win for everyone, and students can lead the charge. They can partner with restaurants to reduce waste, save money, and attract environmentally conscious customers. This simple, effective change benefits both restaurants and the planet.”
To advocate for ordinances and aid in the implementation where ordinances have passed, Beyond Plastics New Jersey created their own state-specific toolkit including a welcome letter, restaurant survey, model ordinance, signage, and FAQ one-pager. Lois also shared a new idea in hopes of inspiring other advocates,
“We are currently finalizing "Here's A Tip" table cards (modeled from cards made by The Last Plastic Straw) to aid with compliance. For municipalities with an ordinance, it will kindly remind restaurants that an ordinance is in place and for those without legislation, it will encourage restaurants to help end plastic pollution by becoming a Skip the Stuff restaurant.”
Even with a state bill at play, it is important to keep advocating for the passage of local laws as it proves that businesses, municipalities, and customers all want the change.
Are you ready to advocate for a local Skip the Stuff policy in your community?
👉Check out our Skip the Stuff toolkit to get started!
