Index

New Jersey Single-Use Plastic Ban

Summary

New Jersey has the strictest anti-plastic law in the US. It completely bans single-use plastic bags AND paper bags at large grocery stores, as well as polystyrene (Styrofoam) food containers.

Rights & Rules

  • 01.
    All stores and restaurants are banned from providing single-use plastic carryout bags.
  • 02.
    Grocery stores that are 2,500 square feet or larger are ALSO banned from providing single-use paper bags. You MUST bring a reusable bag or buy one.
  • 03.
    Restaurants and cafes are banned from serving food in polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) containers.
  • 04.
    Restaurants can only give you single-use plastic straws if you specifically ask for them.

Penalties

  • 01.
    Businesses that violate the law receive a warning for the first offense, a $1,000 fine for the second offense, and a $5,000 fine for the third and subsequent offenses.

Verified Citations

New Jersey Public Law 2020, Chapter 117

Source
"A store or food service business shall not provide or sell a single-use plastic carryout bag to a customer... A grocery store shall not provide or sell a single-use paper carryout bag to a customer..."