In an effort to reduce landfill waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the City of Hoboken’s new "Skip the Stuff" ordinance will go into effect on Sept. 1, 2024. The law prohibits City restaurants from offering single-use plastic utensils and condiments, unless customers request them.
The law is part of Hoboken's ongoing commitment to its Climate Action Plan, specifically the Zero-Waste Initiative, which aims to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions associated with waste management by reducing solid waste volume, reusing and rescuing surplus materials, and recycling.
This ordinance is part of the broader "Skip the Stuff" campaign led by the nonprofit Clean Water Action, which estimates 40 billion single-use plastic utensils are discarded daily nationwide.
Review the Clean Water Action "Skip the Stuff" Fact Sheet.
In an effort to reduce landfill waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the City of Hoboken’s new "Skip the Stuff" ordinance will go into effect on Sept. 1, 2024. The law prohibits City restaurants from offering single-use plastic utensils and condiments, unless customers request them.
The law is part of Hoboken's ongoing commitment to its Climate Action Plan, specifically the Zero-Waste Initiative, which aims to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions associated with waste management by reducing solid waste volume, reusing and rescuing surplus materials, and recycling.
This ordinance is part of the broader "Skip the Stuff" campaign led by the nonprofit Clean Water Action, which estimates 40 billion single-use plastic utensils are discarded daily nationwide.
Review the Clean Water Action "Skip the Stuff" Fact Sheet.
The ordinance requires restaurants and food service establishments to discontinue providing single-use food service items—both plastic and non-plastic—unless specifically requested by the customer. Businesses are required to implement options for customers to request these items upon placing an order, ensuring that the default setting is to not include single-use items. This applies to all ordering methods, including phone, internet, and mobile applications.
Review the full text of the ordinance.
To facilitate a smooth transition, the City will prioritize education, in partnership with the Hoboken Business Alliance.
The City will issue a warning notice of violation to those businesses not complying with the ordinance. For businesses that fail to comply after receiving a warning, fines will be as follows: $100 for the first violation, $200 for the second, and $500 for the third and any subsequent violations.
Residents can report violations using this online form.
