The “Bag Up NJ” campaign is the New Jersey Clean Communities Council’s new single use plastic and paper bag ban outreach campaign, which has a simple message: Bring your own reusable bag(s) when you shop.
This campaign educates and reminds consumers about their options for sustainability at the checkout counter. Consumers can bring their own reusable bags when they shop and recycle their plastic bags.
On Nov. 4, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Legislature enacted the most progressive bag ban law in the country. The law prevents litter and encourages the use of reusable bags by phasing out single-use plastic and paper bags.
The law bans plastic bags, regardless of thickness, at grocery stores and retail outlets, as well as paper bags at grocery stores measuring more than 2,500 square feet. It also bans polystyrene foam food service products; and makes plastic straws at restaurants available only upon request.
While we often hear about the environmental impact of disposable plastic bags, it is important to remember that disposable paper bags have a significant impact on the environment too.
Papermaking requires large inputs of water, energy, chemicals, and wood, and produces various wastes and emissions that must be controlled or treated. Additionally, paper bags require 10 times the amounts of trucks to deliver the same quantity of bags, resulting in increased truck traffic and diesel emissions.
The statewide ban on disposable bags went into effect on May 4, 2022. It will create an effective and uniform sustainable policy for all shoppers and business owners in NJ.
Reducing waste and litter statewide is a good thing; “This smart, uniform statewide law preempts all local ordinances.” said New Jersey Food Council CEO Linda Doherty, who is also president of the New Jersey Clean Communities Council.
Business Compliance:
For more information about business compliance, please contact Bag Up NJ partner New Jersey Business Action Center.
More details of the legislation:
The Bag Ban went into effect on May 4, 2022
- The bill provides that the Department of State in consultation with the state Department of Environmental Protection will establish a program to assist businesses with compliance. This will include FAQs, outreach and educational programs, public service announcements, and distribution of free reusable carryout bags through a partnership with the Clean Communities Program which is receiving $500,000 per year for the first three years after the effective date of the law.
- One year after enactment, November 4, 2021, plastic straws can only be provided upon request of a customer. Packages of straws and items like juice boxes may still be sold in stores.
- The bill states that municipalities and counties cannot adopt any new ordinances governing plastic and paper bags, polystyrene, and straws. Ordinances already in effect will be superseded according to the various products’ phase out schedules.
- The bill provides for penalties: a warning for a first offense, up to $1,000 for a second offense, and up to $5,000 for a third or subsequent offense. Penalties for violations will be deposited in the Clean Communities Program Fund, except that a municipality may retain 30 percent of any penalty it collects.
- The bill establishes a Plastics Advisory Council in the state Department of Environmental Protection, whose members will monitor implementation of the law and evaluate its effectiveness. The Council will be comprised of 16 members, including 4 representing stores and food service businesses.