The New York City food service said, starting Monday, food service establishments providing take-out and delivery service may not provide utensils, condiment packets, napkins, or extra plates or containers to customers unless such items are requested..That means no ketchup for you unless you ask.."Additionally, online ordering and restaurant delivery services must set a default option of not providing those items but may provide the option to request such items if the establishment offers them," the City of New York said in a news release on Friday..According to the city, the 'Skip the Stuff' plan aims to reduce single-use plastic in its waste stream, most of which ends up in landfills where it contributes to "climate change."."In NYC alone, 36 million pounds of single-use plastic are collected from our residential waste stream with tens of millions more discarded by commercial establishments annually," the City of New York said.."The warning period for this new requirement will be in effect until June 30, 2024, after which fines may be issued for violations.".The city noted, "outreach, education and enforcement" will be conducted by the Department of Sanitation in partnership with the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.
