Plastic and paper bag ban passed by NJ lawmakers, heads to governor

[left-of-center2012]

New Jersey lawmakers on Thursday passed a bill that would limit the use of single-use plastic bags, paper bags, plastic straws and polystyrene food containers in the state. The measure is an attempt to reduce the amount of waste generated in the state.

The Democrat-sponsored bill (S864/A1978) prohibits 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.

The rules give 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

Food service businesses, under the bill, would be allowed to hand-out plastic straws only upon a customer’s request.

If a business were to break these rules, the bill allows for a warning for the first violation, a $1,000 fine for the second violation and $5,000 fines for the third violation and every violation after that. All fines collected would go to Clean Communities Program Fund, which pays for litter clean-up grants across New Jersey. The restrictions would become effective after an 18-month grace period, except for the straw ban which has a year-long grace period.

https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2020/09/plastic-and-paper-bag-ban-passed-by-nj-lawmakers-heads-to-governor.html

[jimfields33]

1. The exceptions seem fair

I definitely prefer the meat in a separate bag in the cloth bag.

[no_hypocrisy]

2. This is going to have a big impact on my grocery store.

Nearly all our customers grab the clear plastic bags for EVERY item, for fear of COVID. Individual meat packets, EACH piece of produce (e.g., one cluster of garlic, one bell pepper, etc.), even bags of flour. I always considered it a waste and more pollution as the customers don't return with the used clear plastic bags for more shopping.

While I can anticipate customers bringing their own grocery bags during and after the 18 month period, I'm wondering what they'll do without the other plastic bags.

[SoCalNative]

3. I always reuse

the produce/meat bags when I clean the cat box. I think most people reuse both these or the single use t-shirt bags for trash or other purposes.

[no_hypocrisy]

4. Why are they called "T-Shirt bags"?

BTW, our store is now SELLING these plastic bags (T-Shirt) to our customers which were FREE a month ago.

[SoCalNative]

5. I guess because of their shape

that the handles look like a classic sleeveless undershirt.

The only ones the store are selling again here are the heavier duty ones that are not classified as single use (the really thin plastic ones). I usually order a box of the single use ones online to use for cat box cleaning.

[Le Roi de Pot]

6. An option is to use Cardboad boxes that you get from your own suppliers

Instead of recycling it yourself - you give your customers to use it in place of disposable bags and recycle it for your

you can always sell reusable bags for a small markup !