New Jersey’s “Skip the Stuff” law, designed to reduce plastic waste, took effect on August 1, 2026. Under the new rules, restaurants may no longer automatically include disposable plastic utensils or condiment packets with orders unless customers specifically request them.

Takeout ordering services and online food-delivery platforms must set “no utensils or condiments” as the default option. Restaurants may provide these items only after receiving an explicit request from the customer.

Full-service restaurants with more than 10 seats must also use washable, reusable tableware for dine-in customers instead of disposable items. Certain facilities and businesses—including private schools, healthcare institutions, correctional facilities and food-court vendors—are exempt from the requirements.

The law establishes escalating penalties for violations. Businesses will receive a warning for a first offense, a $1,000 fine for a second offense and a $2,500 fine for a third or subsequent violation.

The new rules have drawn attention from the state’s restaurant industry. Some business owners say they support the environmental goal of reducing plastic pollution but worry that customers who forget to request utensils may become dissatisfied or file complaints.

Restaurants are reminding customers to select the appropriate option or contact the business directly if they need utensils or condiment packets with telephone, online or delivery-app orders.