Watertown Bans Automatic Plastic Utensils in Takeout To Combat Waste

The Watertown City Council has approved a Skip the Stuff ordinance. The ordinance bans restaurants from automatically including plastic utensils, straws, and condiment packets with takeout or delivery orders. Customers, however, can still request these items at checkout or pickup.

“The ordinance also requires online ordering platforms to let customers choose which items they want included,” said Watertown City Councilor Nicole Gardner in a statement shared with the Watertown News. “Finally, the ordinance ensures that dine-in restaurants use reusable plates, cups, and utensils.”

Resident Jocelyn Tager, a member of Watertown Faces Climate Change, said that the Skip the Stuff ordinance will help Watertown meet the goals of its Resilient Watertown Climate and Energy Plan.

During a City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 28, Councilor Tony Palomba questioned how the ordinance would work and whether he would automatically receive a tray if he went to Dunkin'. Gardner said that employees should not automatically provide a tray under the ordinance, but customers could request one if they prefer.

Prepackaged full sets of utensils would also not be permitted under the new ordinance, Gardner added. 

A six-month grace period will precede enforcement. The City of Watertown will provide training and educational materials to customers and food businesses before the ordinance is enforced, Gardner said.