Princeton To Help Local Businesses Prepare For NJ Plastic Bag Ban

PRINCETON, NJ — Governor Phil Murphy’s legislation prohibiting the use of single-use plastic bags will go into effect in May 2022. This legislation will affect all stores and food service businesses, including grocery stores that occupy 2,500 square feet or more.

The Princeton Environmental Commission (PEC) and Sustainable Princeton are planning to develop a program, and provide additional resources to help local businesses prepare for this change.

For the next 18 months, PEC and Sustainable Princeton will assist businesses in making the transition and help them understand the new law.

Their current plan includes:

• Zoom meetings to be held in early 2021 to provide educational information about what the bill requires after the 18-month grace period.
• Lessons learned from business owners in similar communities in New Jersey who have already implemented single use bag bans.
• Resources for sourcing compliant reusable bags and other products.
• An education campaign for the community, letting them know about the new legislation and the changes to expect.

This bill is a significant step to reduce harm and pollution that single use products cause to the environment, PEC and Sustainable Princeton said in a statement.

With a few exceptions, the bill will also ban disposable products like reusable food containers and cups made from expanded polystyrene foam (e.g. Styrofoam) and requires that plastic straws are available by request only.

In towns like Summit, bans on plastic bags will go in effect on Jan. 1, 2021.

Read More Here: Summit Ban On Single-Use Plastics Takes Effect On Jan. 1

If you are a business owner and have questions about the new bill, or would like to suggest ways in which we can help merchants to prepare for this change, please contact: Debra Mercantini at dmercantini@princetonnj.gov.

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