Policymakers in New Jersey have agreed to ban all single-use paper and plastic bags at supermarkets with a size of more than 2,500 square feet. The decision follows a protest from a supermarket trade group against a ban on disposable plastic bags which force them to use more expensive paper-made ones. The prohibitions include bags made of paper and film plastic bags of any thickness, as well as food containers, plates, cups, trays, and utensils made of expanded polystyrene (EPS).
The ban on plastic and paper bags and EPS foam food containers will take in place 18 months after the signing of the new legislation. Other EPS items will have two years before being banned. The ban, however, includes exceptions for newspaper bags, bags carrying prescription drugs, laundry/dry cleaning or garment bags, reusable plastic with handles, and bags with specific uses. After the bill takes effect, a first offence would get a warning, a second violation will result in a fine of up to $1,000, while a third violation will be fined up to $5,000.
