New Jersey's Plastic Bag Ban (NJ P.L. 2020 c. 117), effective May 4, 2022, prohibits single-use plastic carryout bags AND single-use paper bags at large grocery stores. Newark retailers must offer reusable bags only at checkout — no plastic, no paper at supermarkets.
NJ P.L. 2020 c. 117, codified at NJ §13:1E-99.126 et seq., is the strongest single-use plastic ban in the US. It bans single-use plastic carryout bags at all stores and food service businesses, and additionally bans single-use paper bags at grocery stores over 2,500 square feet. Polystyrene foam containers are also banned. Plastic straws are by-request only. There are narrow exceptions: produce bags, raw meat bags, dry-cleaning bags, prescription bags. Newark retailers must charge for reusable bags or provide them free; no plastic or paper at supermarkets is allowed. NJ DEP and Newark Health enforce.
Warning for first offense, $1,000 civil penalty for second, $5,000 for third and subsequent — per day per violation. NJ DEP enforcement plus Newark code enforcement.
Newark, NJ
Under NJ P.L. 2020 c. 117, polystyrene foam food service products — clamshells, cups, plates, trays — were banned statewide effective May 4, 2022. Newark res...
Newark, NJ
Under NJ §13:1E-99.126, single-use plastic straws are banned from default service in Newark food establishments. Customers must specifically request a straw;...
See how Newark's plastic bag rules rules stack up against other locations.
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