Murphy signs law banning plastic forks, knives, spoons — and yes, the spork — before leaving office

TRENTON, NJ – In one of his final acts as governor, Phil Murphy has signed Assembly Bill 5157 into law, officially banning automatic distribution of single-use plastic utensils and condiment packets at restaurants across New Jersey — including the once-ubiquitous plastic spork.

The law, which takes effect six months from signing, cements New Jersey’s place among the nation’s most aggressive states on plastic waste reduction. It extends Murphy’s 2020 ban on plastic bags and foam food containers to now include forks, knives, spoons, straws, and condiment packets commonly handed out with takeout and delivery orders.

Under the new law, full-service restaurants with 10 or more seats are prohibited from providing...