What is Skip the Stuff? 

Skip the Stuff is a voluntary program where restaurants that offer takeout/carryout options stop putting napkins, plasticware, utensils, condiment packets, and sauces into takeout/carryout bags. These items can still be provided to the customer upon their request, or the restaurant can add a table where these items are made available for the customer to take.

What are the Impacts of This “Stuff”?
According to Clean Water Action, an estimated 40 billion individual single-use plastic utensils are discarded every year in the United States. These items never fully decompose but instead break down into microplastics. Chemicals that leach out of these microplastics can enter into our bodies through the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink.
https://cleanwater.org/skip-stuff-new-jersey

How Will Customers Know That Our Restaurant Participates in the Skip the Stuff Program?
The Franklin Township Environmental Commission will be visiting local restaurants that offer takeout/carryout options and encouraging their participation. Restaurants that voluntarily opt in to this program will be given a decal for their window, as well as signage to place inside the restaurant.

A list of participating restaurants will be maintained on this page (click here).
This will link to the text show on page 3 of this document. We don’t have any yet, but once the page is established, I can request additions.

What Are the Benefits of the Skip the Stuff Program?
Eliminating the unnecessary use of single-use plastics will lead to the following benefits:

• Less waste sent to the landfill
• Reduction in the use of our natural resources to create these unnecessary items
• Mitigating health impacts caused by chemicals leaching from single-use plastics, including but not limited to, respiratory distress, certain types of cancer, birth defects, and more.
• Improvement to the environment due to less waste, and cleaner air and water
• Savings to the restaurant owners
• Participating restaurants will be recognized during a public meeting of the Franklin Township Environmental Commission and listing on our online directory.
• Public education and community engagement

What Can Customers Do to Advance the Skip the Stuff Program?
There is a lot we can do as individuals!

• Refuse unnecessary single-use plastic utensils, napkins, condiment packets, and sauce containers
• Bring your own reusable utensils
• If you take “the stuff” from a table made available by the restaurant, only take what you need.
• When ordering through a third-party delivery service, choose the option for “no utensils” (if available) or enter it into the notes section.
• Tell you family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers about the “Skip the Stuff” Program and why its important
• Recommend the “Skip the Stuff” Program to your favorite restaurant!

Where Can I Learn More About the Science Behind the “Skip the Stuff” Program?
Here are some great resources to learn more about why skipping “the stuff” is so important:

Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC): https://anjec.org/plastic-pollution/

Clean Water Action: https://cleanwater.org/skip-stuff-new-jersey

Plastic-Free Eateries: https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/takeaction/guides/plastic-free-eateries

Re-Think Disposable: https://cleanwater.org/campaign/rethink-disposable-new-jersey

Senate Bill S-3195: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S3195

Surfrider Foundation: https://jerseyshore.surfrider.org/campaigns/Skip+the+Stuff+in+New+Jersey

I Am a Restaurant Owner Who Wants to Participate – What Do I Do?
You may be visited by a member of, or receive correspondence from, the Franklin Township Environmental Commission. If you choose to participate, you will be given a decal to place on your door and drive-up window. You will also receive laminated signage that directs customers to request these items or use the self-serve table. Your establishment will also be added to our directory, and you will be recognized by the Franklin Township Environmental Commission during a public meeting.

If you do not receive a visit or this correspondence, please email: Environmental.Commission@franklinnj.gov for assistance.