UPDATE: The state DEP-enacted ban went into effect May 4th.
The state has enacted a ban on single-use carryout bags and polystyrene foam food service products, which will go into effect in three months.
- Beginning May 4, 2022, the law prohibits all Stores (including retail), Food Service Businesses, and Grocery Stores from selling to, or providing their customers with single-use plastic carryout bags. Grocery Stores larger than 2,500 square feet may not provide or sell single-use paper carryout bags, and instead may provide or sell only reusable carryout bags.
- A store is any grocery, convenience, liquor, pharmacy, drug store or other retail establishment.
- Beginning May 4, 2022, the law prohibits all persons and food service businesses from selling/offering for sale any polystyrene foam food service product and prohibits all food service businesses from selling/providing any food served in a polystyrene foam food service product.
Please see this New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) link for details: https://www.nj.gov/dep/plastic-ban-law/#single_use_bags
