The Newsmagazine of Long Beach Island and Southern Ocean County

By Maria Scandale | on April 07, 2022

PLASTICS, WATER DON’T MIX: A display at Adventure Aquarium in Camden, N.J. shows how similar plastic bags could look to jellyfish, a food staple of many marine animals. The bag at center blends right in. (Photo by Ryan Morrill)

The day is almost here when shoppers in New Jersey will have to bag the idea that plastic bags will be there at the check-out counter. At big stores, there won’t be any paper bags at check-out, either. That day is May 4.

N.J. Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette started the month-away countdown by urging the public to get ready for the state’s plastic bag and polystyrene foam food-service container law that takes effect May 4, by stocking up on reusable bags and visiting the DEP’s Get Past Plastic website.

The law, signed by Gov. Murphy in 2020, requires grocery stores and retail establishments to no longer provide single-use plastic bags to customers. Plus, single-use paper bags will be a thing of the past at grocery stores 2,500 square feet or larger. For example, at Target, check-out cashiers were reminding shoppers in Manahawkin last week to expect the change.

Say goodbye to the “Styrofoam”-style coffee cup, too. The law also prohibits the sale of polystyrene foam takeout food containers and other polystyrene food-service products such as plates, cups, food trays and utensils.

“Plastics pollution has become one of the world’s most pressing environmental problems,” LaTourette said. “Americans alone use some 100 billion plastic bags each year. While some of these bags are recycled, many end up in landfills, and many more wind up as litter that is harmful to our communities, ecosystems and wildlife. Sadly, these plastic bags get into our marine environments, killing fish, dolphins, whales and other types of marine life.”

As the state gears up to implement the law, the DEP lists the following guidelines that the public needs to know about plastic and reusable bags.

Supermarkets and grocery stores: These stores will no longer provide single-use plastic bags or paper bags for groceries. “Bring your own reusable bags or purchase them at the store,” the DEP is telling consumers. (Stores under 2,500 square feet may still provide paper bags.) “Reusable bags should be made of polypropylene fabric, PET non-woven fabric, nylon, cloth, hemp product or other washable fabric; have stitched handles; and be designed and manufactured for multiple reuses. Bags are available at most grocery stores and retailers, as well as through online merchants.”

Grocery stores will still be allowed to give out plastic bags to hold loose items such as uncooked meats, fruit, vegetables, flowers, greeting cards and other loose items.

Plastic bags can be brought from home, state officials clarified. “If you have single-use plastic bags at home, you may continue to use them within your home or you can bring them to use when you shop. It is only the grocery store that is unable to provide single-use plastic or paper bags upon checkout.”

Restaurants: “Takeout customers should be prepared to be given single-use paper bags as well as some hot food plastic bags that are used to hold items such as soup and chili. It is recommended that customers bring their own reusable bag in case the restaurant is no longer providing single-use paper bags,” said the DEP. “You may still receive your food in a paper bag at drive-through restaurants, but plastic bags will no longer be allowed. You may still get plastic utensils with meal orders as in the past.” Sit-down restaurants may provide “doggie bags” made of any material except polystyrene foam.

Retail stores: Retail stores of any size may provide customers with single-use paper bags but may not provide single-use plastic bags. Pharmacies can provide single-use paper bags and also can use plastic bags to hold prescriptions. The DEP encourages consumers to bring reusable bags to pharmacies for other purchases.

Food pantries and food banks: In recognition of the hardships the pandemic has placed on many people, food pantries and food banks will have until Nov. 4 to comply with the plastic bag provisions of the law. The Clean Communities Council will provide them with 500,000 reusable bags for distribution. They may also provide paper bags.

Polystyrene foam food-service containers: “You will no longer be able to purchase plates, cups or utensils made from polystyrene foam. You will still be able to purchase plastic utensils and plastic or paper plates and cups,” said the DEP.

For the next two years certain polystyrene foam food service products will be exempt from the law, including: raw and deli-sliced meats, poultry and fish trays, portion cups of 2 ounces or less, if used for hot foods or foods requiring lids. Food pre-packaged by the manufacturer in a polystyrene foam container also is permitted for sale.

Polystyrene foam food-service products such as ice cream cups, coffee cups and soup containers will be prohibited. Food delivery will no longer be able to be served or delivered in polystyrene. This food may be delivered in other materials such as plastic, paper or aluminum products.

The DEP’s new Get Past Plastic website, nj.gov/dep-get-past-plastic, has information about the law, including about the types of reusable bags that should be used.

“We know that businesses have been preparing all year for the May 4 start date for the plastic bag and polystyrene food service products law,” said Melanie Willoughby, executive director of the New Jersey Business Action Center. “But there might still be questions from their customers, so the NJBAC is here to help answer those questions on our 1-800-JERSEY–7 help-line. We want to ensure that the businesses and their customers have a smooth transition.”

“With the statewide bag ban quickly arriving on May 4, we are urging all New Jersey shoppers to get in the routine of bringing their own bags to the store every time they shop,” said NJ Clean Communities Council Executive Director JoAnn Gemenden. “It’s all about creating new habits. Remember to keep your reusable bags in a convenient location where you won’t forget them – and get used to using them, as we work together for a cleaner, litter-free New Jersey.”

“It’s very important for all of us to work together to make a lasting difference in protecting our communities and environment from plastics pollution,” LaTourette added.

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