Under NJ §13:1E-99.126, single-use plastic straws are banned from default service in Newark food establishments. Customers must specifically request a straw; restaurants cannot pre-place or auto-include them with drink orders.
NJ's Plastic Bag Ban law includes a separate provision restricting plastic straws to a by-request basis effective November 4, 2021. Newark restaurants, bars, food trucks, and cafeterias may not automatically provide plastic straws or set them out for self-service. The customer must affirmatively ask. The provision exempts prepackaged drinks with attached straws (juice boxes) and accessibility accommodations — establishments must keep straws available for customers with disabilities who need them. Compostable and paper straws can be provided freely. Newark Health enforces via routine restaurant inspections.
Warning for first offense, $1,000 second, $5,000 third+ per day per violation. Persistent noncompliance can affect Newark food service license under Title 14.
See how Newark's plastic straw rules rules stack up against other locations.
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