New Jersey Bag Ban, Fee & EPR Rules

Verified: July 29, 2026

Bag Ban Status

Statewide bag ban: active statewide ban. Covered-retailer scope is broad under state law (Get Past Plastic Act, P.L. 2020 c.117 / N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.126): 'store' means a grocery store, convenience store, liquor store, restaurant, drug store, **or any other retail establishment** that provides single-use carryout bags to customers. Apparel, jewelry, and general retail (e.g. Claire's, Gap) are explicitly covered, and restaurants are covered. Paper bags are additionally banned in grocery stores larger than 2,500 sq ft (and in any grocery store that is part of a chain of 10+).

Plastic Bag Restrictions

Plastic carryout bags: active statewide ban.

Paper Bag Requirements

40% post-consumer recycled content required on paper carryout bags.

Recycled Content (PCR)

Paper carryout bag PCR: 40% for bags >8lb capacity, 20% for bags ≤8lb capacity per P.L. 2021 c.391 §6; plastic carryout bags 20% (2024) rising to 40% (2027).

Fees & Taxation

None statewide.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

EPR for Packaging — bill pending. Statute: SB 614 / SB 673 (Packaging Product Stewardship Act, reintroduced 1/2026).

Local Ordinances

None significant.

Key Dates

Statewide plastic bag ban effective: 2022-05-04 (P.L. 2020 c.117, Get Past Plastic Act). Skip-the-Stuff foodware restrictions effective: 2026-08-01.