Effective May 4, all New Jersey retail stores, grocery stores, and food service businesses will be prohibited from both providing and selling single-use plastic bags and polystyrene foam foodservice products.
As an alternative, single-use paper bags can be provided and sold, except in grocery stores large than 2,500 square feet, which may only provide and sell reusable bags.
These bans come only months after the ban of plastic straws in New Jersey, which began in November 2021.
Together, these laws on banning plastic and foam products are some of the most progressive in the country, with the goal of reducing the carbon footprint of consumers in New Jersey.
“While this new law will certainly be a learning curve, banning plastic bags and polystyrene foam will help us all to reduce our harmful impact on the environment,” Roselle Park Mayor Joe Signorello said.
“The Borough is anticipating full cooperation from all residents and business owners once the law is in effect. I am looking forward to the benefits this ban will bring to not only Roselle Park but to New Jersey as a whole.”
The “Bag Up NJ” campaign provides further details of this new legislation.
For more information and to know how you can prepare, please visit https://bagupnj.com/.