Litter Free NJ Info Packet

On May 4, 2022, New Jersey’s statewide ban on plastic and paper bags—the most progressive bag ban law in the nation will take effect, outlawing plastic bags and polystyrene containers at supermarkets, food establishments and retail outlets, and banning paper bags at grocery stores larger than 2,500 square feet.

To raise awareness about the plastic and paper bag ban and ensure that residents are well-informed prior to the ban taking effect, the New Jersey Clean Communities Council has launched the BagUpNJ campaign. This campaign includes multi-lingual, multi-platform advertising, communications and social media initiatives, public service announcements, a student video PSA contest and extensive community outreach.

Local and county governments have a major role to play in helping minimize the disruption or inconvenience your constituents may experience, particularly in your underserved communities. We hope we can count on you to partner with us in the successful roll out of this historic milestone in New Jersey’s history.

Ways you can help:

Litter Free NJ Month. Adopt a resolution declaring May, 2022 as “Litter Free NJ Month” in your county/municipality and announce the action to the local media. Please see the attached packet or visit here for draft resolutions. https://bagupnj.com/index.php/bag-up-nj-month
Social Media. Publicize the Bag Up NJ campaign across your social media channels. A library of sharable social media content can be downloaded here. https://bagupnj.com/index.php/downloads
Reusable Bag Giveaway Programs. . Help supply your constituents with reusable bags by sponsoring a branded bag giveaway. In 2021, New Jersey Clean Communities awarded more than $20.7 million in grants to New Jersey’s counties and municipalities. These funds can be used to purchase reusable grocery bags, bearing your local government branding, to be distributed at community events, senior programs, food pantries or at other public outreach events.
Sponsor a Branded Bag Distribution: The NJCCC launched a Business Partnership Program which allows government agencies and businesses to partner with the Clean Communities Council on a branded bag giveaway. For more information on sponsoring or partnering with the Bag Up NJ campaign on bag distribution, please contact: JoAnn Gemenden, Executive Director of the NJ Clean Communities Council, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit https://njclean.org/images/DOCUMENTS/Bag-Up-NJ-Sponsorship-Form-2021.pdf

For more information on New Jersey’s ban on paper and plastic bags, please visit: https://www.nj.gov/dep/get-past-plastic/

For more information on how businesses and corporations in your communities can support reusable bag distributions, visit: https://njclean.org/images/DOCUMENTS/Bag-Up-NJ-Sponsorship-Form-2021.pdf

Important Dates:

May 4, 2022: New Jersey’s plastic and paper bag and polystyrene foam food container ban takes effect.

April 23, 2022: Earth Day, 50+2. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the celebration of the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day has been delayed by two years. Location is liberty state park but don’t have other info yet

May 26, 2022: New Jersey Clean Communities Annual Conference (Virtual via Zoom)