Earlier than New Jersey’s plastic bag ban takes effect May 4, it’s possible you’ll end up — buying cart in tow — questioning what baggage, if any, will nonetheless be out there at grocery shops and delis.
Particularly, will the small unfastened plastic baggage we sometimes discover on rollers within the produce aisles nonetheless be out there?
When Gov. Phil Murphy signed the new law in the fall of 2020 he mentioned in 18 months not would companies be allowed handy out single-use plastic baggage, polystyrene meals containers, plastic straws and paper baggage in New Jersey. The measure is seen because the strictest stance against single-use plastics in the nation because it additionally bans paper baggage at massive grocery shops and lots of styrofoam containers.
When the ban begins, buyers must convey their very own carryout baggage, purchase reusable baggage or go bagless.
However not all baggage will likely be banned as soon as the regulation takes impact.
Will small plastic baggage for fruits and veggies nonetheless be out there?
Sure. In accordance with the New Jersey Division of Environmental Safety, exceptions to the plastic bag ban embody:
- A bag used solely to bundle unfastened objects similar to fruits, greens, nuts, espresso, grains, baked items, sweet, greeting playing cards, flowers, bulk meals, or small {hardware} objects.
- A bag used solely to comprise or wrap raw meat, fish, or poultry.
- A bag used solely to comprise dwell animals, similar to fish or bugs bought in a pet retailer.
- A bag used solely to comprise meals sliced or ready to order, together with soup or sizzling meals.
- A laundry, dry cleansing, or garment bag.
- A bag supplied by a pharmacy to hold prescribed drugs.
- A bag for newspapers.
- Any related bag, as decided by the DEP pursuant to rule, regulation, or steering.
“The baggage used for produce are permissible underneath the brand new regulation and can nonetheless be out there for produce,” Karen O’Shea, a ShopRite spokeswoman, mentioned in an announcement.
RELATED: N.J.’s strictest in the nation ban on single-use bags takes effect soon. What you need to know.
Does the dimensions of the shop affect these exceptions?
No. The exceptions apply to all shops.
Small grocery shops — something underneath 2,500 sq. toes — can proceed to offer out paper baggage in addition to small plastic baggage for greens and fruits.
In accordance with a commerce publication, most grocery shops are between 12,000 and 40,000 square feet.
Ought to I nonetheless think about using options?
Sure. Re-usable baggage are the way in which to go, consultants informed NJ Advance Media.
Apart from being higher for the atmosphere, they are often extra sensible too, mentioned Sandra Suarez, biology professor at Ramapo School and director of the varsity’s Upward Sure Math Science program.
“I believe lots of it has to do with getting used it … it’s possible you’ll not (need to) put your apples in your cart with (different objects). However it may be sort of unusual, you’re mainly utilizing the luggage to move what you acquire again to your own home,” mentioned Suarez, noting that lots of this stuff are already in their very own packaging.
“I put my vegatables and fruits in a bag inside my fridge however there’s actually no cause why I really feel like I’ve to do this. It retains my fridge cleaner, however I believe it’s simply behavior, proper? I’ve switched to reusable nylon and different mesh baggage for potatoes and onions but it surely once more it has to do with remembering to convey the re-usable baggage once I buy groceries … I believe all of this actually simply boils all the way down to behavior,” she added.
Stefanie Shuman, a spokeswoman for Cease & Store, mentioned like different main grocery store manufacturers in New Jersey, their shops will present re-usable baggage for patrons to purchase.
“Cease & Store affords an array of high-quality, sturdy reusable grocery baggage,” Shuman mentioned. “Our hottest are our 2 for $1 reusables which are available in quite a lot of prints. We even have a reusable neighborhood bag out there; one greenback from the acquisition of each neighborhood bag is donated to a neighborhood charity.”
Do any states ban small plastic baggage for veggies and fruits?
No.
All 10 different states — California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington — which have handed some type of a single-use plastic ban, have continued to supply the small baggage for produce objects.
Nevertheless, many states encourage residents to seek out methods to re-use these baggage.
Suarez mentioned among the many potential makes use of are storage for different objects at residence, canine waste, in addition to future produce purchases.
“I believe for comfort and never having to clean issues as typically, we’ve launched (plastic) into our lives that’s damaging the atmosphere,” Suarez mentioned.
“If we needed to actually see its demise, it’d require a bit of rinsing and washing. That will in all probability care for perhaps 50% of our plastic-use … It’s a way of life change, and if individuals need to see an environmental change, they actually have to just accept a way of life change,” she mentioned.
What are some various reusable produce baggage?
Alternate options to provide baggage embody naturally-compostable “biobags,” light-weight tote baggage, mesh grocery baggage or linen bread baggage.
You may also select to go bagless, use laundry baggage, inventory your trunk with a re-usable cardboard field or re-use the plastic baggage you might have at residence. For these seeking to be artistic, strive considered one of dozens of the “no sew bag” tutorials available online to make a tote from home items.
Listed below are some re-usable baggage you should purchase on-line:
Nonetheless have questions on New Jersey’s plastic bag ban? Ask them here.
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Steven Rodas could also be reached at srodas@njadvancemedia.com. Observe him @stevenrodasnj.