This bill aims to reduce the use of single-use plastic utensils and condiments by food service businesses in New Jersey. It prohibits these establishments from providing single-use plastic utensils or condiments to customers unless specifically requested. Additionally, food service businesses with an on-site seating capacity of 50 or more must offer reusable, washable utensils for customers dining on the premises, which must be returned for cleaning after use. The bill also outlines that any business providing single-use plastic items upon request must do so in limited quantities and cannot offer bundled packages containing multiple types of utensils or condiments.

Furthermore, the bill establishes penalties for non-compliance, with fines escalating from $1,000 for the first offense to $5,000 for subsequent violations. However, businesses that exclusively provide eco-friendly alternatives are exempt from these requirements. The bill also amends the Clean Communities Program Fund to include penalties collected from violations, which will be used for litter management and educational programs. Overall, the legislation seeks to promote environmental sustainability by encouraging the use of reusable and eco-friendly alternatives in the food service industry.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 13:1E-217