Cranford Bans Businesses From Voluntarily Providing Some Plastic Products To Customers

CRANFORD, NJ - The Cranford Township Committee has unanimously approved an ordinance that bans food providers from giving out single-use plastic products, in most cases, unless a customer requests it.

Businesses and individuals who provide prepared food or beverages and are located in the township will be unable to offer single-use straws bags, containers, bottles and other plastic products on their own.

Ordinance 2025-16 applies to all stores, restaurants, bars, stands and other parties that provide prepared food or beverages. Delivery orders are also prohibited from having these items, unless a customer requests them.

County Commissioner of Public Safety Kathleen Miller Prunty tells Patch this is "a move to cut down on the amount of garbage and waste that ends up in landfills, parks, rivers, etc." and that "Those items typically go in the bag on a take-out order, but never (are) opened and then just tossed in the trash. We’re proud to join the many other communities who have taken this action to be environmentally responsible."

Businesses may have a self-serve area for utensils and other products that does not include disposable straws or stirrers. These policies do not apply to prepackaged items or individuals with a disability or other impairment requiring the use of a plastic straw.

"Plastic pollution is a problem in the environment, it's also becoming more and more a medical problem as microplastics get into our food sources and water sources," adds Mayor Terrence Curran. "We've actually seen people in the hospital develop blockages, whether its arterial or intestinal, from microplastics."

As of Nov. 2021, New Jersey requires all food service businesses statewide to only provide a single-use plastic straw upon a request from a customer. The businesses are also required to keep an "adequate supply" on hand, and can continue to sell packs of single-use plastic straws or sell products with one pre-packaged by a manufacturer.

The Cranford ordinance goes into effect 60 days after its adoption at the Township Committee meeting on Aug. 19.

Violations of the ordinance are subject to a civil penalty fine of no more than $100 for the first violation, $200 for the second violation and $500 for any thereafter.