In just one year, a new state law will go into effect that bans the use of single-use disposable plastic and paper carryout bags in grocery stores and imposes a schedule to eliminate polystyrene foam food service products in food stores and restaurants.
While the bag ban takes effect May 4, 2022, state Department of Environmental Protection and the NJ Business Action Center just launched a statewide education campaign geared toward the business community as the countdown gets underway. The Food Council along with New Jersey Clean Communities Council (NJCCC) are the two leading proponents of the new law so this partnership among state agencies and not for profit associations should be an effective tool to educate the business community and consumers.
The effort features the launch of a website that explains the law, business compliance and how it affects New Jersey. The website can be accessed at business.nj.gov/recent/disposable-bag-ban
The state outreach dovetails with a joint mission to combat litter in NJ. This growing partnership with the state will support a roll out of a three-year communication and marketing campaign to educate every shopper in this state about the new law. The consumer-based campaign, known as “Bag Up NJ,” is geared to educate and prepare New Jersey residents ahead of the law going into effect. The goal is to reach the individual shopper with a very simple message to bring reusable bags.
Another key component of the state’s educational effort will be a vendor clearinghouse that connects manufacturers and suppliers who provide reusable bags and other products that comply with the new state standards.
The state is also planning to conduct roundtables to prepare businesses and their customers through the NJ Business Action Center.
NJFC will host a Podcast placed on our website to respond to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) by the business community as members start to navigate the new law.
Additionally, the state is asking businesses to include the following link on newsletters and social media to help educate more New Jerseyans about the law. It reads:
“Counting Down to NJ’s 2022 Plastic Carryout Bag and Polystyrene Foam Ban New Jersey businesses can start preparing now for implementation of a new law, which takes effect May 4, 2022, which ends the use of single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene foam food service products at retail stores and food service businesses and replaces them with reusable bags and recyclable products. The use of single-use paper carryout bags will be prohibited at grocery stores greater than 2,500 square feet. Plastic straws will be limited to by-request-only. The New Jersey Business Action Center and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection are working together to help businesses comply with the law. Read the law, a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions (FAQs), an easy-to-read chart explaining how to comply, and many other resources at Business.NJ.gov.”
We hope the business community will accept this call to action and work with government and not for profit partners to remind the public to bring a reusable bag and help shape consumer behavior to save our environment and protect our precious resources.