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new Jersey Restaurants and lawmakers are expressing concerns about potential single-use plastic ware Restrictions in the state.
New proposed law may require restaurants new Jersey Provide dine-in customers with only reusable utensils unless they request plastic utensils, according to fox29If a customer orders take-out, they must specifically request plastic utensils, Restaurants may also be prohibited from offering bundled utensils or packages of condiments, NJ.com Report.
If the law is passed, schools would be given an exemption for five years, while restaurants in food courts would be given an exemption for two years. NorthJersey.comHealth facilities will also be exempted under certain circumstances,
Restaurant owners could also face fines under the proposed law, Fox29 reports. The restaurant could receive a warning on the first offense, while a second offense could result in a fine of $1,000. Additional offenses may also result in a fine of $2,500.
A portion of the fines collected will go to the New Jersey Clean Communities Program Fund, a statewide litter-elimination program. Fox 5 reports,
Brian Truitt, owner of the restaurant Milestone Catering in Camden, New Jersey, told FOX29 he’s concerned about how local laws could impact people like him. “New Jersey changed a lot of things so quickly that it’s been difficult for small businesses,” he said.
State Senator Declan O’Scanlon, a Republican, told NJ.com that he opposes the measure.
O’Scanlon said, “I’m not sure I understand why the state should micromanage this when each municipality can do things the way they want with their own businesses.”
state senate majority leader Teresa RuizOne Democrat also said the proposed measure could mean higher prices for customers.
“I’ve seen bills introduced here that attack the consumer instead of helping them at the end of the day,” Ruiz told NJ.com.
However, others are more enthusiastic about the bill, citing environmental concerns.
Doug O’Malley, director of Environment New Jersey, said NJ.com He supports this legislation because he is concerned about the chemicals in plastic.
“PFAS [Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, also known as “forever chemicals”] And the products have a way to get into our environment and ultimately into our drinking water and bodies,” he told the outlet. “There is an incredibly viable market for PFAS-free products.”
Camden resident Christopher Sperry told FOX 29 he’s also concerned about the use of disposable plastics. “It’s bad for the community and the environment,” he told the outlet.