TRENTON, N.J. – A parody circulating on Facebook has some New Jersey residents doing a double take after claiming Gov. Mikie Sherrill is backing a fictional “Skip the Squares Act” that would eliminate free toilet paper at Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike rest stops.
The post, shared in the New Jersey RESISTANCE Facebook group, claims a nonexistent Senate Bill S4116 would require visitors to either bring their own toilet paper or purchase it from cashless vending machines installed in highway service areas.
The claim is false.
There is no New Jersey Senate Bill S4116 proposing such a measure, and Gov. Sherrill has not announced any plan to charge motorists for toilet paper at state rest stops.
Instead, the post is a satire aimed at criticizing New Jersey’s recently implemented “Skip the Stuff” law.
Parody targets state’s disposable utensil restrictions
The joke plays off New Jersey’s new Skip the Stuff law, which took effect Aug. 1 and prohibits restaurants from automatically providing disposable accessories such as plastic forks, spoons, straws, condiment packets, stirrers, and extra napkins with takeout and drive-thru orders.
Customers must now specifically request those items, while online ordering platforms must default to providing no utensils unless customers opt in.
Supporters say the law is intended to reduce unnecessary waste and cut down on millions of unused disposable items entering landfills each year.
Critics argue the policy has made routine takeout orders less convenient, particularly for drive-thru customers who discover after leaving that they forgot to request a straw or spoon.
Social media users use humor to criticize policy
The fictional “Skip the Squares Act” extends that logic by imagining the state applying the same philosophy to public restrooms.
The parody claims taxpayers could save hundreds of thousands of dollars annually by eliminating complimentary toilet paper and encouraging residents to bring their own supplies instead.
It also references a fictional pilot program in Santa Monica and invents quotes attributed to Gov. Sherrill—none of which are authentic.
The post has been widely shared by users who view it as commentary on what they consider government overreach or impractical environmental regulations.
Others have pointed out that, unlike the parody, the actual Skip the Stuff law does not prohibit restaurants from providing disposable utensils or straws. It simply requires customers to request them.
The viral post illustrates how quickly satire can spread online, particularly when it closely resembles real legislation that has already generated debate among residents and business owners.
Key Points
- The “Skip the Squares Act” is a parody and not a real New Jersey bill.
- The satire mocks New Jersey’s recently implemented “Skip the Stuff” law governing disposable utensils.
- There is no Senate Bill S4116 proposing to eliminate free toilet paper at highway rest stops.
FAQ
Is the Skip the Squares Act real?
No. It is a satirical social media post and not actual legislation.
Does Senate Bill S4116 exist?
No. There is no New Jersey bill matching the fictional proposal described in the Facebook post.
What is the real Skip the Stuff law?
The law requires restaurants to provide disposable utensils, straws, condiment packets, and similar items only when customers request them.
Why are people sharing the parody?
Many users are using humor to criticize or comment on New Jersey’s environmental policies governing single-use plastics.
Will motorists have to pay for toilet paper at rest stops?
No. There is no proposal requiring that.
Source: New Jersey RESISTANCE Facebook group, New Jersey Legislature, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
A satirical Facebook post imagining a “Skip the Squares Act” is going viral as New Jersey residents debate the state’s new “Skip the Stuff” law.
