New Jersey Statewide Rule
New Jersey Single-Use Plastic Bag and Paper Bag Ban
Key Facts
- Authority
- N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.126 (P.L. 2020, c.117)
- Effective date
- May 4, 2022
- Plastic carryout bags
- Banned at all stores statewide
- Paper carryout bags
- Banned at groceries over 2,500 sq ft
- Enforcement
- DEP and local code enforcement
Summary
Under NJSA 13:1E-99.126, New Jersey banned single-use plastic carryout bags and single-use paper bags at large grocery stores effective May 2022, the strongest such law nationally.
13:1E-99.128 Dispensing of single-use plastic carryout bags prohibited. 3. a. Beginning 18 months after the effective date of P.L.2020, c.117 (C.13:1E-99.126 et al.): (1) no store or food service business shall provide or sell a single-use plastic carryout bag to a customer; and (2) no grocery store shall provide or sell a single-use paper carryout bag to a customer.
Full Breakdown
New Jersey's single-use plastics law (P.L. 2020, c.117), codified at N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.126 et seq., prohibits stores and food service businesses from providing single-use plastic carryout bags. Grocery stores larger than 2,500 square feet additionally cannot provide single-use paper carryout bags. The law took effect May 4, 2022, after a phased implementation. Reusable bags meeting durability and material standards remain available for sale. The Department of Environmental Protection administers enforcement, and local code enforcement officials investigate violations. The Act preempts inconsistent municipal ordinances but allows stricter local rules adopted before its effective date to remain.
Violations & Penalties
First offense receives a written warning; second offense up to $1,000; third and subsequent violations up to $5,000 per day per location, assessed by DEP.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can grocery stores still give out paper bags in New Jersey?
Are restaurants subject to the plastic bag ban?
Sources
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