Grocers, Residents Ready for New Jersey's Bag Ban
Grocery stores in New Jersey will soon have a bag ban to contend with—one that prohibits single-use plastics, as well as single-use paper for some grocers. But stores and residents of the Garden State say they are ready.
Beginning May 4, grocery stores and retail establishments in New Jersey will be prohibited from providing or selling customers single-use plastic carryout bags. Grocery stores larger than 2,500 square feet will also not be able to provide or sell single-use paper carryout bags. Grocery stores will only be able to provide or sell reusable carryout bags.
The law, signed by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy in 2020, also prohibits the sale of polystyrene foam takeout food containers and other polystyrene foodservice products such as plates, cups, food trays and utensils.