Community Corner
Working to Make “Skip the Stuff” Nassau County Law
Unused plastic cutlery and condiments in take-out orders mean even more plastic in our trash.
(GLEN COVE, N.Y.) – With single-use plastic waste looming as a perennial threat to Nassau County’s waterways and green spaces, Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D – Glen Cove) is introducing legislation that would help Nassau residents to “skip the stuff” on their takeout orders.
The measure, which was implemented in New York City at the beginning of August, would direct Nassau restaurants to not give plastic utensils, straws, or condiment packets and single-serve condiment packets with takeout orders unless customers specifically ask for them. Currently, most establishments provide them by default.
“By reducing plastic waste and recycling whenever possible, we can make tremendous strides toward protecting our environment and safeguarding our health,” Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton said. “Not only is this an environmentally sound policy, passing a ‘skip the stuff’ law will save restaurants money with minimal impact on our daily lives. It’s a seamless and simple way for us to end our reliance on single-use plastic goods, and I am hopeful that it will soon become a Nassau County law.”
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Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton’s proposal comes on the heels of Grassroots Environmental Education’s “Plastic-Free July,” in which more than 20 Port Washington eateries implemented a “skip the stuff” policy for the month. Many residents and participating businesses applauded the effort, adding that they would like to see it implemented permanently.
Many people are aware about the proliferation of single-use plastic goods and the negative impact on our health. Plastics are frequently found in waterways, the air, and even in our bloodstreams as microscopic particles – and although many recycle their plastic goods, pollution remains a persistent issue. Based upon similar concerns, the County previously outlawed the use of most single-use Styrofoam products by food service establishments as part of ongoing regional efforts to protect ecosystems from contamination.
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Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton has been a staunch advocate for the environment and sustainability for decades. For this reason, the New York League of Conservation Voters has endorsed Delia’s 2023 re-election campaign.
Feel free to contact Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton’s office about the “Skip the Stuff” initiative or any other topic at 516-571-6211 or dderiggiwhitton@nassaucountyny.gov.
