NJ A5157

Full-service restaurants with seating for 10+ customers must provide reusable, washable utensils for on-site dining and are prohibited from giving single-use utensils or condiments to dine-in customers.

Casual dining establishments and other food service businesses may only provide single-use utensils and condiments upon express customer request, including through utensil dispensers or self-serve condiment stations.

Online ordering platforms must default to "no utensils or condiments" for take-out orders, with customers able to opt-in; bundled utensil/condiment packages are banned 12 months after the law takes effect.

Violations result in a warning for the first offense, $100 penalty for the second offense, and $250 for subsequent offenses, with enforcement by certified county environmental health entities.

Schools, healthcare facilities, correctional facilities, and food court businesses (for two years) are exempt; the DEP must conduct a 180-day public education campaign on reducing single-use items.