New Jersey's Restrictive Take on Single-Use Plastic Cutlery
Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat leaving office after two terms, signed legislation to ban single-use plastic cutlery at restaurants in the state. The new law prohibits full-service eateries from providing disposable utensils to dine-in customers unless specifically requested or through self-serve dispensers.
However, some condiments, including ketchup packets, are still allowed under the new regulations. But there's a catch – schools, healthcare facilities, correctional institutions, and food courts will be exempt from the restrictions for two years.
The legislation comes into effect on August 1, following Murphy's departure. His successor, Governor Mikie Sherrill, has taken over as governor. The law applies to all restaurants in New Jersey, aiming to reduce plastic waste in the state.
While the new bill is a step towards environmental sustainability, it also raised concerns about potential exemptions for certain institutions. Despite this, many lawmakers see the move as an important step forward in reducing single-use plastics and promoting environmentally-friendly practices in New Jersey's restaurants.
Meanwhile, Murphy signed several other bills before his departure, including legislation aimed at boosting penalties for cyberharassment of public servants and creating a specialized unit within the Department of Corrections to investigate sexual misconduct.
Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat leaving office after two terms, signed legislation to ban single-use plastic cutlery at restaurants in the state. The new law prohibits full-service eateries from providing disposable utensils to dine-in customers unless specifically requested or through self-serve dispensers.
However, some condiments, including ketchup packets, are still allowed under the new regulations. But there's a catch – schools, healthcare facilities, correctional institutions, and food courts will be exempt from the restrictions for two years.
The legislation comes into effect on August 1, following Murphy's departure. His successor, Governor Mikie Sherrill, has taken over as governor. The law applies to all restaurants in New Jersey, aiming to reduce plastic waste in the state.
While the new bill is a step towards environmental sustainability, it also raised concerns about potential exemptions for certain institutions. Despite this, many lawmakers see the move as an important step forward in reducing single-use plastics and promoting environmentally-friendly practices in New Jersey's restaurants.
Meanwhile, Murphy signed several other bills before his departure, including legislation aimed at boosting penalties for cyberharassment of public servants and creating a specialized unit within the Department of Corrections to investigate sexual misconduct.
gotta say, it's about time we take care of our planet! some of these exempt places sound like they need more attention tho... schools should be a priority too 
i gotta say, it's about time we're making moves towards reducing plastic waste 
but can't help feeling like schools & hospitals are gonna be the ones still using all that plastic 
exempting them for 2 years is a good start tho, guess it's better than nothing 
what's next? wanna see more states take action on this issue 
. On one hand, it's awesome that NJ is taking steps towards reducing plastic waste, which is a huge issue we need to tackle ASAP 
. But at the same time, exempting schools and other places for two years feels like a bit of a cop-out 
. I mean, can't they just make an exception too? It's not like it'll break anyone's back or anything 
.
. And hey, if it means less plastic in our oceans and parks, I'm totally down for it 
they're actually taking action now and it's only the beginning 
but idk about those exemptions tho 
. And to have exemptions for schools, hospitals, etc., I'm like... how can those places be exempt from being eco-friendly? 
We need more awareness about our impact on the environment and making small changes in our daily lives can make a BIG difference 
especially since ppl in NJ r pretty environmental conscious. my question is tho, wut happens wen the gov changes again lol like wont thay new law get scrapped? anywayz, ketchup packets are still ok 
. I mean, single-use plastic cutlery is literally just trash 
. It's crazy that schools and healthcare facilities get an exemption for two years though - what if they can't even afford to switch? Shouldn't the state be supporting them in this transition? 
now lets see how it plays out under Sherrill