Mayor Janice Mironov and Members of Council -- Denise Daniels, Anthony Katawick, Marc Lippman, David Russell, Johnnie Whittington and John Zoller -- Present

May 4, 2022

ALERT: NJ Single Use Bag Ban Is in Effect Today, Wednesday, May 4.

The new law bans single use plastic bags at grocery stores and retail establishments, as well as single use paper bags at grocery stores 2,500 square feet and larger. The law also prohibits polystyrene foam takeout food containers as well as polystyrene food-service products such as food trays, plates, utensils and cups. The ban aims to reduce litter and encourage purchase and use of reusable carryout bags. As of November 4, 2021, plastic straws became available only upon request.

Here are some things in New Jersey that can still go in plastic bags:

• Dry cleaning
• Uncooked meat, fish or poultry
• Bags used to contain food sliced or prepared to order, including soup and hot food
• Bags provided by a pharmacy, such as a bag containing prescription medicine
• Bags for animals, such a bag containing fish you buy at a pet store

While much of the focus is about the environmental impact of disposable plastic bags, it is important to remember that disposable paper bags have a significant impact on the environment as well. Papermaking requires large inputs of water, energy, chemicals and wood, and produces various wastes and emissions that must be controlled or treated. Additionally, paper bags require ten times the number of trucks to deliver the same quantity of bags, resulting in increased truck traffic and diesel emissions. The statewide ban on disposable bags is intended to create an effective and uniform sustainable policy for all shoppers and business owners in New Jersey.

The bill provides that the NJ Department of State in consultation with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection will establish a program to assist businesses with compliance. This includes FAQs, outreach and educational programs, public services announcements, and distribution of free reusable carryout bags through a partnership with the Clean Communities Program. The bill also establishes a Plastics Advisory Council in the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, whose members will monitor implementation of the law and evaluate its effectiveness. For more information regarding the New Jersey Bag Ban Law, visit www.nj.gov/dep/plastic-ban-law.

Residents are encouraged to bring their reusable bags while shopping and recycle their disposable bags by bringing them to a local retailer.

Residents are advised to check the Township website at www.east-windsor.nj.us, read E-News Alerts, tune into Community Access TV Comcast Channel 27 and Verizon Channel 38, or call the municipal information hotline at (609) 443-4000, ext. 400, for schedule updates.