The ordinance, said to be part of Hoboken's ongoing commitment to its Climate Action Plan, specifically the Zero Waste Initiative, 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.
“I’m thrilled to see the ‘Skip the Stuff’ ordinance, which I spearheaded alongside my council colleagues Giattino and Jabbour, finally come to life,” Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher who co-sponsored the measure, said.
“This initiative represents a win-win for our community, reducing plastic waste while also saving our local businesses money. I’m grateful for the support from the business community and environmental advocates who helped shape this legislation into a practical, forward-thinking solution,” she added.
Council President Jen Giattino, a co-sponsor of the ordinance, highlighted the positive impact on both the environment and businesses: “Reducing waste has always been a priority for me. With this ordinance, we are not only addressing an important environmental issue but also empowering our small businesses in Hoboken to operate more sustainably. I’m proud of the collaborative effort that brought this ordinance to fruition.”
Jabbour previously said the new policy makes perfect sense.
"In an era where food orders are easily customized, adding an option to decline unnecessary plasticware is a no-brainer. It saves businesses money and protects our environment. I'm excited to see Hoboken continue leading New Jersey in smart environmental initiatives,” Jabbour shared.
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,” Mayor Ravi Bhalla said in a statement. “By implementing the 'Skip the Stuff' ordinance, we are not only promoting sustainability but also setting yet another example for other cities to follow."
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 Bhalla the following day.
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.
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