Skip the Stuff: Information for Montclair food service businesses

Starting March 1, restaurants and food service providers are prohibited from distributing certain single-use, disposable food and beverage accessories during take-out or delivery, unless a customer specifically asks for them. This applies to in person, phone, and online orders. (Ordinance found here.)

This ordinance is intended to reduce the amount of waste generated by single-use items, change customer habits regarding single-use items, and help restaurants reduce unnecessary costs.

Requirements

PREPARING FOR MARCH 1st - WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:

1) Ensure your staff is educated on the requirements. (See materials below)

2) Update your delivery apps and online ordering page so customers can opt-in for single use accessories. Be sure to set the default to opt-in = customers receive no prohibited single-use items unless they check the box or toggle the slider to "yes". (see "Prepare your online ordering page & delivery apps" below for more information and details)

3) Take advantage of the printed materials that the Town produced, making it easy for you to alert your customers to the changes. We encourage you to post them on your front window, door, check-out counter, online ordering page. (See "Educating your staff and customers" below)

EDUCATING YOUR STAFF AND CUSTOMERS

To make this ordinance easy to implement, the Township and Environmental Commission have created materials to educate your customers and staff. Many of these pieces are being hand delivered to your business. If you did not receive them, please let us know (see "Who to Contact" below).

For Staff Education. You can download and print the following:

1. An "Employee Guide" with FAQs

2. Eco-friendly alternatives guide: take-out containers and utensils.

   We hope you don't stop at Skip the Stuff!

   
   

For Customer Education. We highly recommend you post the following at your establishment to reduce customer confusion and explain the new requirements. Please post them for at least a month to support the Town's effort to educate residents:

Please reach out if you did not receive a hard copy of these materials and would like one or more (contacts listed below):

1. A Skip the Stuff decal for easy placement on a front window or door.

2. Check-out counter table tent that looks like this.

3. Flyer/poster (8.5" by 11") for a wall or door.

Please email mtcenv@gmail.org if you would like the following:

1. A digital awareness-building banner to add to your online ordering page. Several colors are available.

PREPARING YOUR ONLINE ORDERING PAGE & DELIVERY APPS

Ensure that there is a way for customers to opt-in for single-use items. Make sure the default setting requires customers to actively request / opt-in for the items.

Here's how.

Please check online orders carefully, as they come in, and notice if customers made a request.

THIS ORDINANCE DOES NOT APPLY TO:

• Pre-packaged items that include single-use items (like drinks with straws attached)

• Customers with a disability or impairment making it difficult for them to ask for single-use items. In this case, you may proactively ask the customer if they need a single use item.

OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER:

• You may keep single-use items at a self-service station for customers to pick up.

• Food service staff should not ask customers which single-use items they need. The request must initiate with the customer.

WITH FURTHER QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT:

• Montclair Environmental Commission: mtcenv@gmail.com (with general questions)

• Montclair Center Business Improvement District: abhishake@montclaircenter.com (re: businesses around Bloomfield Ave.)

• Montclair Business Development Office: dwhite@montclairnjusa.org (re: businesses in Upper MTC, Watchung, Walnut, South End, Frog Hollow areas)

Thank you for meeting the requirements of the Skip the Stuff Program!

We know many of you have already limited your distribution of these items. We thank you for that and all you do for Montclair!