A resolution approved by the City Council on Thursday forbids eateries and food delivery services from including utensils, condiment packets, extra containers, and napkins in takeout or delivery orders unless the consumer specifically requests them.
According to MPs, the bill intends to lessen the quantity of single-use plastics that end up in landfills.
Before being voted on by the entire council in the late afternoon on Thursday, the bill was approved by the Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection.
By a vote of 43-7, the entire council approved it. Businesses that break the law are liable to civil fines that can be between $100 and $300 in one year.
However, prior to July 1, 2024, any infractions will only result in a warning rather than a financial penalty. The fiscal impact statement for the bill states that lawmakers don't expect any impact on business revenue or expenditures. Kalman Yeger, a council member, was one of the bill's opponents.
However, proponents of the restaurant business have come out in favor of the rule
The "Skip the Stuff" bill is a win-win solution that will support our neighborhood restaurants in saving money by reducing the amount of single-use plastic utensils and condiment packages that frequently go unused, as well as reducing the amount of plastic waste that ends up in our waste system, in our waterways, and on our streets. According to a statement from Andrew Rigie, executive director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance.
Data presented in the committee report shows that 40 billion plastic utensils are wasted annually and 100 million plastic utensils are used every day in the United States.
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