Skip the Stuff

Portsmouth’s Single-Use Food Service-ware Reduction or “Skip the Stuff” Policy

[For more information on what the City is doing to encourage this, please visit the Health Department's webpage]

The City of Portsmouth is committed to supporting local climate action and transitioning to a more sustainable future. In July of 2024, the Portsmouth City Council voted to adopt a “Skip the Stuff” policy which encourages local businesses to only distribute single-use food service-ware upon request.

Do you own, work at, or frequent a local business that currently distributes disposable food service-ware? If so, you should consider advocating for this business to switch to an ‘upon request’ practice where staff only provide single-use food service-ware (cutlery, plates, cups, stirrers, takeout containers, etc.) when asked by a customer. This policy change could reduce the number of single-use plastics distributed, used and disposed of within Portsmouth and could reduce costs associated with ordering of single-use food service-ware amongst Portsmouth businesses. To learn more about the origins of the nationwide ‘Skip the Stuff’ movement, and to access marketing materials, please explore the links in the sidebar. 

Take Action to #SkipTheStuff in Portsmouth

Every year, billions of utensils, napkins, condiment packets, and other accessories are included in take-out and delivery food orders even if customers don’t want or need them. The waste from these unused accessory items pollutes the planet, threatens human health, and means that restaurants are literally throwing money away.

The solution is simple and elegant. Customers need to ask for these items! If you need foodware accessories, you can get them. And if you don’t need them, you can prevent the waste by exercising your right to #SkipTheStuff.

What does the policy do? This City Policy asks local restaurants, food delivery apps, and online delivery platforms to provide single use utensils, condiments, and napkins only if requested by the customer. This commitment is simple and saves restaurants money and reduces unnecessary waste! Check out the full policy here.

Who are the sponsors? Council Member Kate Cook with support from NH Surfrider, the Beyond Plastics Campaign and the Portsmouth High School Eco Club.

What can you do to abide by this policy?

1. Inform your employees that single-use plastics should only be provided to customers upon request.

2. Advertise your commitment to #SkipTheStuff and let your customers know that they can help reduce plastic waste by not asking for single-use plastic bags, containers, silverware, condiments, etc.

Every year, billions of straws, utensils, napkins, and condiment packets are included in take-out and delivery food orders and just thrown away. We support our local #SkipTheStuff policy - you should too!