Starting June 28, 2019, retailers will no longer be providing single-use plastic bags and non-recyclable paper bags for customers. This includes corner stores, supermarkets, restaurants, clothing shops, liquor stores, and hardware stores. It’s currently in effect in Hoboken and several other cities in NJ.
Why plastic bags?
Plastic bags are difficult to recycle because of their material and take hundreds of thousands of years to fully break down.
You can check the city’s website for a list of resources on how plastic waste affects the environment.
What are the alternatives?
With the ban of plastic bags, you can either bring your own bag or use a bag provided by retailers. Some bag alternatives may be available for a cost while others are free.
This doesn’t mean all plastic bags are gone, though. You’ll still be able to get:
• Heavier-weight plastic bags that can be reused
• 100% recyclable paper bags that contain at least 40% post-consumer recycled content
• Newspaper bags
• Laundry/dry cleaning bags
• Bags provided by pharmacists for prescription drugs
• Bags sold in packages (garbage, pet waste, yard waste, etc.)
• Bags used to wrap frozen food, meat, vegetables, and bulk items
Reusable Bags
The city is giving out reusable bags to residents while supplies last, so you don’t have to worry about buying a bag! Email a photo of yourself or someone you know in Jersey City using reusables (reusable bag, coffee cup or water bottle) to makeitgreen@jcnj.org and you’ll receive a free reusable bag or other Office of Sustainability goodies.
Most residential buildings have garbage chutes. What can residents use to store their garbage in to throw down their garbage chutes without having to buy paper bags?