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Fanwood Green Team wins statewide award and rolls out 'Skip the Stuff' campaign to reduce single-use plastics
Summary
Fanwood's volunteer Green Team described 2025 accomplishments — an award from the New Jersey Department for nontraditional recycling, a Sustainable Jersey bronze re-certification — and launched 'Skip the Stuff,' urging restaurants to provide cutlery and condiments only on request; staff said neighboring towns' ordinances will be reviewed.
The Fanwood Green Team presented its 2025 accomplishments to the Borough Council on Nov. 17 and asked the borough to support 'Skip the Stuff,' a local campaign to reduce single-use plastics by having restaurants provide utensils, napkins and condiments only when customers request them.
"If you want a spoon with your soup, great, you can have it. But if you don't want it, don't force it on me," the Green Team presenter said, framing the campaign as both an environmental and cost-saving measure for businesses. The presenter said the group has approached 14 of the borough's 15 restaurants and emphasized local partnerships and signage as primary outreach tools.
Council and staff noted neighboring towns in Union County—Cranford, Garwood and Westfield—already have model ordinances and said borough attorneys and staff will review those templates. Councilwoman Katherine Mitchell highlighted the team's statewide recognition and Sustainable Jersey bronze re-certification, and encouraged continued public outreach and simple, relatable programs such as clothing, sock and toy collections that the team runs.
Why it matters: The campaign targets avoidable single-use waste at the point of sale and relies on voluntary business cooperation reinforced by public education; a local ordinance is possible but staff noted the timeline depends on legislative and legal review.
What comes next: Staff (borough attorney and Liz Jeffrey) will gather model ordinances from neighbors and work with the Green Team on implementation options. The Green Team also asked for council acceptance to continue outreach and signage.
