Effective May 4, the ban on the provision or sale of single-use plastic and paper carryout bags goes into effect. The New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC), the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), and NJ Clean Communities Council have provided helpful links (see below) educating businesses and consumers on the ban regarding compliance and enforcement.

On Nov. 4, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed into law P.L. 2020, c.117, which prohibits the provision or sale of single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene foam foodservice products in all stores and food-service businesses statewide. The law also prohibits the provision or sale of single-use paper carryout bags by grocery stores that occupy 2,500 square feet or more. The law required the creation of a vendor clearinghouse to aid businesses in identifying vendors and manufacturers who sell reusable carryout bags allowed by the new law.

Businesses that decide to sell or provide reusable carryout bags must ensure that the bags meet the requirements as defined in the law. To be considered a “reusable carryout bag,” the product must be:

All businesses that do not comply with the law are subject to an initial warning potentially followed by daily fines.

The NJBAC and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection have provided many online resources, including an implementation timeline and a chart of impacted establishments. Information and resources about the ban and reusable bag requirements can be found at business.nj.gov/bags/plastic-ban-law and nj.gov/dep/plastic-ban-law.

Here are other helpful links:

NJBAC https://nj.gov/state/bac/assets/ppt/NJBAC-Plastics-Reduction-Law.pdf

NJDEP https://nj.gov/state/bac/assets/ppt/NJDEP-Plastics-Reduction-Law.pdf

NJCCC https://nj.gov/state/bac/assets/ppt/NJCCC-Plastics-Reduction-Law.pdf

English – New Jersey Plastics Reduction Video (P.L. 2020, c117)

Anthony Martinez, NJBAC Small Business Advocate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B96oKulIId4

Spanish – New Jersey Plastics Reduction Video (P.L. 2020, c117)

Anthony Martinez, NJBAC Small Business Advocate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nTA1AaKngI

NJ’s Ban on Plastic Carryout Bags & Polystyrene Foam in Stores, Grocery Stores & Food Service Businesses

https://files.business.nj.gov/BAC/Plastics%20Ban%20Law%20Factsheet%20English%20(11.01.21).pdf

https://files.business.nj.gov/BAC/Plastics%20Ban%20Law%20Factsheet%20Spanish%20(11.01.21).pdf

To access more business news, visit NJB News Now.

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