In 2026, New Jersey teen Landon Hoberman’s campaign forced restaurants to ask customers whether they needed plastic cutlery before adding it to takeout orders, eliminating 8.1 million pieces from landfill.
Until now, most eateries pre‑pack plastic forks, knives and spoons with every order, assuming customers need them. Hoberman’s system replaces the automatic inclusion with a quick question at checkout, a change adopted by dozens of eateries across the state.
The shift has saved restaurants more than $200,000 in packaging costs and prevented the manufacture of millions of plastic utensils that would otherwise end up in rivers and oceans. According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the reduction equates to a 0.3% cut in state plastic waste.
Hoberman was named a 2026 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, a national award that honours young people who make lasting impacts on communities and the planet. ‘His initiative shows that small everyday choices can have monumental effects,’ said award committee chair Maria Lopez.
Restaurant owners say the change has helped them cut costs and reduce waste, with some already offering reusable utensils to loyal customers.
The state’s Environmental Protection Agency is now studying the model for adoption in other states, while Hoberman plans to expand the campaign to schools and food delivery apps.