Five East End villages join 'Skip the Stuff,' advocate against plastic utensils

That plastic fork or handful of ketchup packets may no longer come automatically with your takeout order this summer at restaurants in the Hamptons.

That’s the effect of the national "Skip the Stuff" campaign, an effort to curb the use of single-use plastics and reduce waste from takeout and delivery orders.

The villages of East Hampton, Quogue, Sag Harbor, Sagaponack and Southampton are participating in the initiative, which encourages — and in some cases requires — restaurants and delis to provide utensils, napkins, straws and condiment packets only when customers request them.

"We're not trying to make it so that people can't eat the food that they order if they need it, but we're trying to encourage restaurants and people to be aware of not taking something they don't need," said Sheila Peiffer, chairwoman of Southampton Village's environmental and sustainability committee.

The campaign is backed by the eastern Long Island chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, an environmental advocacy group. Supporters say limiting the automatic distribution of disposable items can lower costs for businesses while helping protect beaches and coastal waters.

Advocates cite marine toll

With more than 1,000 miles of shoreline in Suffolk County, advocates say even small reductions in single-use plastics can help protect the East End's beaches, bays and marine life.

Plastic is the most common form of marine debris and can have detrimental effects on marine ecosystems. Environmental researchers estimate between 5 million and 12 million metric tons of plastic enter the world's oceans each year, according to the United Nations.

The outreach campaign is intended to provide consistent messaging across participating villages and make it easier for businesses and customers to adopt new practices.

The villages of East Hampton and Sag Harbor have formally adopted "Skip the Stuff" ordinances in recent years that make violations subject to fines of $50 and of up to $250 for multiple violations. Quogue, Sagaponack and Southampton villages have approved resolutions supporting the effort but have not imposed penalties.

Peiffer and other members of Southampton Village's environmental and sustainability committee have visited restaurants and delis to explain the initiative and encourage businesses to participate.

Utensils by request

Jonathan Bernard, owner of Farm and Forage Market in Southampton Village, said his business has provided utensils only upon request for several years. Many customers decline them because they are taking their meals home, he said, adding the practice has also reduced the restaurant's spending on disposable utensils.

“I'm sure if other places adopt it, it can only have a positive effect,” Bernard said, adding he is hopeful it will reduce litter in the village. “I'm super excited to see what happens.”

Peiffer said the village sees the initiative as another step in its broader environmental agenda. Southampton previously adopted a climate emergency resolution that requires officials to consider climate impacts when making policy decisions, which has led them to enact bans on single-use plastic bags and helium balloons, she said.

"We were very happy to start this process of trying to minimize ... the use of plastic in our area," Peiffer said.

She said many customers are already familiar with the concept because major food delivery apps require users to request utensils rather than including them automatically.

New York City adopted a "Skip the Stuff" law in 2023. Sag Harbor Village trustees have endorsed legislation pending in Albany that would establish a similar policy statewide.