As a supporter of the Wildlife Conservation Society's Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium, I'm writing in support of A 3424A (Rosenthal) / S 4449 (May), also known as the “Skip the Stuff” bill.

At the beginning of 2023, a similar bill passed at the New York City level. Passing similar legislation statewide will show increased leadership by the State and encourage other states to follow suit. The bill would help reduce New York’s contribution to single-use plastics pollution by prohibiting restaurants and third-party food delivery services from providing single-use food service items to customers except when explicitly requested by the customer.

Food delivery platforms would have to provide options for a customer to request single-use food service items, but the bill would require that the default option is that no single-use food items are requested. Food service establishments, couriers and delivery platforms who violate this bill would be subject to civil penalties.

Like the New York City bill before it, this bill honors customer choice. Often, takeout and delivery orders are eaten at home or in an office, where reusable utensils are readily available. Most New Yorkers have a drawer crammed with plastic utensils and straws, chopsticks, and condiment packets, which are often included with a take-out or delivery meal even when specifically requested not to be.

I encourage you to support our wildlife and environment by supporting A 3424A / S 4449.