Ban of single-use carryout bags,
Ban on Polystyrene foam food
service products, and plastic
straws by-request-only
(P.L. 2020, C. 117)
Ban on single-use Carryout Bags
* 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 bag.
- A "single-use plastic-use carryout bag" is a carryout bag made of plastic that is not a reusable carry out bag, made of plastic that is not reusable carry out bag as defined by the law.
* In addition, 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 "single-use paper carryout bag" is a carryout bag made of paper that is not a reusable carryout bag as defined by the law.
Stores this ban applies to
* The single-use plastic bag ban applies to a "store," food Service Business," & "Grocery Store"
* The single-use paper bag ban applies to a "Grocery Store"
* A "Store" is any grocery store, convenience store, liquor store, pharmacy, drug store or other retail establishments
* A "Food Service Business" sells or provides food for consumption on or off the premises, including establishments such as a restaurant, cafe, delicatessen, coffee shop, inconvenience store, grocery store, vending truck or cart, food truck, movie theater, or business or institution cafeteria, including those operated by a government entity.
* A "Grocery Store" is a self-service retail establishment that occupies at least 2,500 square feet and sells household foodstuffs for off-site consumption
* It does not include an establishment that handles only prepackaged food that does not require time or temperature controls for food safety.
Reusable Carryout Bags
* A "reusable carryout bag" must:
- Have stitched handles
-- Traditional or ultrasonic stitching
--
Adhesive handles do NOT qualify
-AND-
* Be designed and manufactured for multiple reuses
.. Minimum 125 uses
Requirements for single-use plastic straws
* Beginning on November 4, 2021, food service businesses shall only provide a single-use plastic straw to a customer upon request by the customer
* Food service business are required to keep an adequate supply of single-use plastic straws
* stores may continue to sell packages of single-use plastic straws and provide/sell a beverage prepackaged by the manufacturer with a single-use plastic strew, i.e., juice boxes.
Below are links to information on the bands and fines
NJBAC PlasticBagBan PPT update
NJCCC PlasticBagBan PPT County