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. The law prohibits City restaurants from offering single-use plastic utensils and condiments unless customers request them. The initiative 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.
The ordinance will require 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 will be 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.
“We are proud to take this significant step towards reducing waste and supporting our climate goals,” said Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla. “By implementing the 'Skip the Stuff' ordinance, we are not only promoting sustainability but also setting yet another example for other cities to follow. Thank you to climate champion and former NBC reporter Brian Thompson for his advocacy and suggesting Hoboken adopt this initiative.”
“This ordinance is putting more sustainable practices in place that will ultimately save businesses unnecessary expenses. Hoboken is an example of how our community efforts to implement more eco-conscious policies can align with shared business and civic goals. The Hoboken Business Alliance looks forward to connecting with businesses and customers to understand the positive impact of this new legislation once it is in effect,” said Roxanne Earley, Executive Director, Hoboken Business Alliance.
This initiative 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.
To facilitate a smooth transition, the City will prioritize education over the next several weeks, in partnership with the Hoboken Business Alliance.
After a period of education, 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.
The ordinance was unanimously adopted by the City Council on June 5, 2024, and signed into law by Mayor Bhalla on June 6, 2024.
Residents can also report violations using the online form available at https://arcg.is/0PDevW. The City will use the resident reports to provide information and education to those respective businesses prior to fines.
For more information, visit https://www.hobokennj.gov/resources/zero-waste-initiative and www.hobokennj.gov/resources/skip-the-stuff.
