New N.J. law bars businesses from handing out plastic bags, straws, food containers
Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday signed a new law banning businesses from handing out single-use plastic bags, polystyrene food containers, plastic straws and paper bags in New Jersey. The measure, which was passed by state lawmakers in September, is seen as the strictest stance against single-use plastics in the nation.
“Plastic bags are one of the most problematic forms of garbage, leading to millions of discarded bags that stream annually into our landfills, rivers, and oceans,” Murphy said in statement. “With today’s historic bill signing, we are addressing the problem of plastic pollution head-on with solutions that will help mitigate climate change and strengthen our environment for future generations.”
The new regulations prohibit food service businesses from giving customers single-use plastic bags and polystyrene food containers. The bans apply to a variety of businesses, including restaurants, convenience stores, food trucks, movie theaters and grocery stores that are 2,500 square feet or larger. Grocery stores would be prohibited from giving paper bags to customers.
The new rules for plastic and paper bags, and polystyrene containers, become effective in May 2022. There are exemptions for some disposable items, including:
Bags wrapping raw meat
Polystyrene butcher trays
Bags used for loose items like produce
Bags that hold fish and insects from pet stores
Dry cleaning bags
Newspaper bags
Bags carrying prescription drugs
The new law also restricts food-service businesses from handing out plastic straws, unless specifically requested by a customer, beginning in November 2021.
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2020/11/new-nj-law-bars-businesses-from-handing-out-plastic-bags-straws-food-containers.html