In just one year, a new state law will go into effect that bans the use of single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene foam food service products, as well as single-use paper carryout bags, in most stores.
NJFC and New Jersey Clean Communities Council (NJCCC), two of the lead proponents of the legislation requiring this ban, are applauding the efforts of the state Department of Environmental Protection and the NJ Business Action Center, which launched a statewide education campaign geared toward the business community.
That effort features the launch of a website that explains the law and how it affects New Jersey. The website can be accessed at business.nj.gov/recent/disposable-bag-ban
“The state outreach dovetails with NJCCC’s mission to combat litter,” said NJCCC President Linda Doherty, who is also President & CEO of the NJ Food Council. “We are fortunate to have this growing partnership with the state, as we roll out a three-year communication and marketing campaign to educate every shopper in this state about the new law.”
Doherty has worked closely with the state in promoting the law; she said the website provides the absolute latest information about compliance. This is of ideal importance for owners of supermarkets and other businesses that rely so heavily on the need for bags, she said.
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. Groups interested should reach out to Melanie Willoughby, executive director of the NJ Business Action Center, at melanie.willoughby@sos.nj.gov
JoAnn Gemenden, executive director of the NJCCC, said the non-profit group is also creating a three-year, consumer-based campaign, known as “Reusable Bag Education campaign,” geared to educate and prepare New Jersey residents ahead of the law going into effect.
“The Reusable Bag Education campaign is the perfect compliment to the state’s business outreach plan, as our focus is consumers,” she explained. “We are reaching out to the individual shopper with a very simple ask: When you go to the store, bring your own reusable bags. It’s that simple.”
As part of the comprehensive roll-out, 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.”
You can also learn more about the law at: https://www.nj.gov/dep/dshw/plastic-ban-law/