New Jersey Passes Strongest “Skip the Stuff” Law in the U.S. to Limit Single-Use Plastics
New law will reduce plastic waste from utensils and condiments, and require reuseable utensils in restaurants
Press Release Date: January 20, 2026
Location: TRENTON, N.J.
Contact:
Megan Jordan | email: mjordan@oceana.org | tel: 202.868.4061
Today, Gov. Phil Murphy signed New Jersey’s “Skip the Stuff” bill (S-3195/A-5157) into law on the last day of his term. This law will reduce the single-use plastics at restaurants and from takeout food orders that too often end up in our oceans.
The law requires that restaurants, cafes, and other food service businesses provide utensils and condiment packets only upon the customer’s request, rather than automatically including them in orders. The law also requires that full-service restaurants with seating capacity of 10 or more provide reusable utensils for dine-in customers, which distinguishes New Jersey’s Skip the Stuff law as the most comprehensive in the country. The law is set to take effect on August 1, 2026.
Policies governing the use and production of single-use plastic items are the most effective way to address the growing plastic pollution crisis, and they are becoming more popular at the state and local level. California, Washington state, and New York City have passed laws to reduce unnecessary plastic associated with takeout orders. Within the state of New Jersey, 60 towns have passed similar Skip the Stuff laws.
“Oceana applauds New Jersey lawmakers for addressing plastic pollution by passing Skip the Stuff — a commonsense step to cut back on single-use plastic and support reuse,” said John Weber, Oceana’s senior field representative in New Jersey. “Too often, takeout orders come loaded with plastic utensils and condiment packets that customers didn’t ask for, and those items quickly become waste. This law will mean less single-use plastic in the oceans and savings for restaurants.”
In February 2025, Oceana released the results of a nationwide poll showing that 85% of U.S. voters support increasing the use of reusable packaging and foodware. Overall, 81% of U.S. voters support reducing the amount of plastic that is produced.
Background
Plastic has been found in every corner of the world and has turned up in drinking water, beer, salt, honey, and more. It’s been found in the air we breathe and the water we drink. It’s even showing up in our bodies, including blood, lungs, heart, and breast milk. Plastic poses environmental and public health threats at every stage from extraction and production to use and disposal. It’s also one of the greatest contributors to climate change. In fact, if plastic were a country, it would be the fourth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. With plastic production growing at a rapid rate, increased amounts of plastic can be expected to flood our blue planet with devastating consequences.
A 2020 Oceana report revealed evidence of nearly 1,800 animals from 40 different species swallowing or becoming entangled in plastic in U.S. waters between 2009 and early 2020. Of those animals, a staggering 88% were from species listed as endangered or threatened with extinction under the Endangered Species Act.
Less than 6% of plastic in the U.S. is recycled, yet the plastics industry continues to tout recycling as a panacea while pushing new plastic products onto the market. Companies need to dramatically reduce the production and use of unnecessary single-use plastic, provide plastic-free choices, and develop systems that refill and reuse packaging and foodware. Elected officials must enact policies to ensure they do so.
In February 2025, Oceana released the results of a nationwide poll revealing that an overwhelming majority of U.S. voters support policies that reduce single-use plastics. The national online poll, conducted for Oceana by the nonpartisan polling company Ipsos using the probability-based KnowledgePanel®, surveyed 1,111 registered U.S. voters from December 13 to 15, 2024.
Included among the key findings:
- 80% of U.S. voters support state and local policies that reduce single-use plastic foam.
- 78% of U.S. voters support national policies that reduce single-use plastic foam.
- 80% of U.S. voters support requiring companies to reduce single-use plastic packaging and foodware.
To learn more about Oceana’s campaign to stop plastic pollution, please visit usa.oceana.org/plastics.
