Every year in the United States over 40 billion single use plastic utensils are discarded into the waste stream, most having never been used! They fill our kitchen ‘junk drawers’, cost businesses unnecessary expenses, are too small to be recycled, and are polluting our environment and health. Plastic never biodegrades but breaks into tiny micro and nanoparticles that can leach toxins into the air, land, and water making us sick.
The good news is that the NJ Legislature is now voting on legislation (S3195/A5157), known as Skip the Stuff, which will prohibit food service businesses from providing single-use utensils and condiments to customers, except upon request, and requires certain food service businesses to provide reusable, washable utensils to customers eating on site. This legislation will reduce single-use trash and toxic exposure from plastics, while reducing costs for businesses and municipalities.
Take action today! It's important that NJ Legislative Leaders hear from you. Please contact Senator Scutari, Senator Sarlo, Assembly Speaker Coughlin and Assemblyman Spearman today! Send a message and urge them to advance and vote yes on S3195 / A5157.
