Understanding the Ban on Plastic & Foam
City of Summit
A statewide ban on single-use carryout bags and polystyrene foam food service products will go into effect on May 4, 2022.
The law prohibits all New Jersey stores, food service businesses, and grocery stores from selling single-use plastic carryout bags. In addition, grocery stores larger than 2,500 square feet may not provide or sell single-use paper carryout bags, and instead must provide or sell only reusable carryout bags.
The new law also prohibits all persons and food service businesses from selling any polystyrene foam food service product or selling any food served in a polystyrene foam food service product.
Certain products are exempt until May 4, 2024, such as meat and fish trays for raw or butchered meat. There are no exemptions for 501 (c)(3) organizations in the statewide ban.
Though similar ordinances have existed in Summit since January 1, 2021, the statewide law will supersede local ordinances. For more information, please visit the city of Summit’s website at cityofsummit.org.
