An Act to "Skip the Stuff" to reduce restaurant waste

This bill requires restaurants and other food service providers in Massachusetts to offer customers the option to decline single-use items like utensils, napkins, and condiments when ordering for takeout or delivery. The law specifically targets establishments where food is not consumed on the premises, aiming to reduce the amount of non-recyclable waste that ends up in landfills. To comply, businesses must clearly inform customers that these items are available upon request rather than being automatically included with every order. The legislation defines various terms such as "single-use food serviceware" and "consumption on the premises" to ensure consistent application across different types of food vendors. By shifting the default from providing disposable items to offering them only when requested, the bill seeks to lower litter and environmental contamination without banning specific materials outright.