PUBLIC NOTICE
The Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission encourages residents to bring their own bags when shopping ahead of the state’s “bag ban” going into effect on May 4th, 2022.
The “Bag Up NJ” campaign aims to increase sustainability by having customers bring reusable bags with them when they shop at grocery, retail, convenience stores, and pharmacies. Reusable bags must be made of nylon, cloth, or other washable fabric, have stitched handles, and be purposefully designed for multiple uses.
The new law also bans polystyrene foam food service products; and makes plastic straws at restaurants available only upon request. Exemptions to this ban include bags that hold uncooked meat, poultry, or fish, packaged loose items such as fruits or vegetables, sliced or prepared to order foods and pharmacy prescriptions.
To learn more, please click on these links to see what’s new: https://www.nj.com/news/2022/04/nj-plastic-bag-ban-23-answers-to-your-urgent-questions.html and https://www.nj.gov/dep/get-past-plastic/. Please see the informational chart below for a quick reference.
To report a complaint, please contact Bergen County Department of Health Services at 201-634-2804.