The ban on plastic bags took effect officially in New Jersey on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. All stores are banned from giving out or selling single-use plastic bags when you check out.   Paper bags are banned at grocery stores, but non-grocery and retail stores can still provide paper bags to their customers.  Retail clothing stores or small bodegas can give you a brown shopping bag.   When you go shopping, please remember to bring your reusable tote.  Some exemptions are produce bags, bags used to package meat or dry cleaning, and pet waste.   To be a reusable bag, the bag must be made of washable fabric, have handles, and with stand 125 uses and multiple washes.

Staring also on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, Polystyrene plastic used to make food containers is banned.

Any containers made using the foam polystyrene will be banned.  Styrofoam plates and to-go containers and cups will no longer be able to be purchased at stores.   On Wednesday, May 4, 2022, the Bayonne Clean Communities Program distributed tote bags in the shopping district of Broadway  and gave customers information on the ban on single-use bags.  Those who wish to continue to use their own plastic or paper bags can do so, if they bring them on their own.   For more information, please call Dee Dee Bottino at 201-858-6357.

Examples of businesses that might be effected by this are:

• Restaurants
• Cafes and Coffee shops
• Delicatessens
• Grocery stores and big box stores
• Convenience stores
• Vending trucks or carts
• Food Trucks
• Pharmacies
• Liquor stores
• Drug stores
• Retail stores