Last year, environmental philanthropic group the Minderoo Foundation published an in-depth report about single-use plastics. In it, they revealed that each American uses and disposes of approximately 110 pounds of single-use plastics per year. That translates to billions of pounds of trash in the United States alone. In an effort to curb this unnecessary waste, the State of New Jersey enacted P.L. 2020, c.117, aka New Jersey’s “bag ban”. While the plastic bag ban officially goes into effect in five and a half weeks, it might help to start implementing some new habits now to make the transition a little easier.
NJ Plastic Bag Ban
What is the Bag Ban?
On May 4th, 2022, retail stores, grocery stores, and restaurants will no longer be allowed to provide single-use plastic bags, paper bags, or polystyrene containers for their customers. Grocery store patrons must bring their own reusable bags from home with them. If not, the store will make them available for purchase if you cannot carry your items out by hand. The only exceptions to this single-use plastic bag ban will be for those used for loose items sold in bulk (candy, nuts, seeds, etc.), dry cleaning, freshly sliced deli meat, soup containers, prescription drugs, and to transport live fish or insects from pet stores. Plastic bags or paper used to wrap fresh meat or fish are also exempt from the ban.
What is Considered “Reusable”?
Not all bags are created equal. They must be constructed of washable material (nylon, cloth, hemp, PET nonwoven fabric, etc.). Each bag must also include stitched handles or ones that are part of the material they are made of (T-shirt bags, for example). Glued-on handles do not qualify as “reusable”.
Tips to Get You Ready for the Plastic Bag Ban
First, start stocking up on your reusable bags now. Store them in your car and/or by the door(s) you leave your Jersey Shore home from. Sometimes, simply writing “BAGS” at the top of your shopping list provides a great reminder. Always keep one or two compact, foldable bags in your purse or backpack for those quick, last-minute shopping trips. Finally, start getting into the habit of using reusable bags right now.
2022 Jersey Shore Beach Badges
Just a reminder. Jersey Shore beach badges are available for sale right now. Memorial Day weekend only feels a long way off. Do not be fooled! It will be here before you know it. For the best deal, purchase your badge today.
Sherri Lilienfeld, Apex Prime Realty, Your Source for Jersey Shore Real Estate