Environment (Recycling) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 30, 2026

A 5352: Revises minimum percentage of postconsumer recycled content in certain plastic trash bags.

This bill modifies New Jersey's existing rules for plastic trash bags by lowering the required amount of recycled material they must contain. Manufacturers of thicker plastic bags, specifically those 1.00 mil thick or more, will no longer need to include 40 percent postconsumer recycled content, as the new requirement is reduced to 20 percent. The law also adjusts recycled content targets for thinner bags, increasing the minimums for 0.70 to 0.80 mil bags from five to 10 percent and for 0.80 to 1.00 mil bags from 10 to 20 percent. These changes apply to all plastic trash bags sold in the state, with the exception of bags designed for hazardous or regulated medical waste. The legislation takes effect immediately upon introduction.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 776: Eliminates prohibition on provision of single-use paper bags by grocery stores for delivery orders; requires certain retailers to repurpose cardboard boxes if feasible.

This bill (A 776) allows grocery stores to provide single-use paper carryout bags for a fee to customers ordering groceries for delivery, removing a previous restriction. It also requires stores and food service businesses to repurpose cardboard delivery boxes for reuse (e.g., for future grocery deliveries) whenever feasible. The law directly affects grocery stores, food retailers, and delivery services operating in New Jersey. Key mechanisms include permitting paper bags solely for delivery orders and mandating cardboard box reuse to reduce waste, without altering existing bans on single-use plastic bags for in-store purchases.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3280: Repeals law prohibiting sale or distribution of single-use plastic carryout bags, single-use paper carryout bags, polystyrene foam food service products, and single-use plastic straws.

S 3280 repeals New Jersey's current law that prohibits the sale or distribution of single-use plastic carryout bags, single-use paper carryout bags, polystyrene foam food service products, and single-use plastic straws. If enacted, it would allow retailers, restaurants, and other businesses to sell these items again, directly affecting both businesses that previously had to comply with the ban and consumers who use these products. The repeal removes existing restrictions without creating new requirements or funding mechanisms. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3256: Eliminates prohibition on provision of single-use paper and plastic carryout bags by grocery stores for delivery, pick-up or curbside pickup orders.

This bill (S 3256) removes a ban on grocery stores providing single-use paper or plastic carryout bags specifically for delivery, pick-up, or curbside pickup orders. It directly affects grocery stores (defined as self-service retail establishments over 2,500 sq. ft. selling food for off-site consumption) when handling these order types. The key mechanism is amending the existing law to add a new exemption in the definition of "carryout bag," explicitly allowing these bags for delivery/pickup orders while maintaining bans for other in-store purchases. The change follows findings that single-use paper bags use similar resources to plastic, and aims to align with New Jersey's broader plastic reduction goals.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3281: Repeals law that prohibits certain establishments from providing or selling various single-use products to customers.

S 3281 repeals a law (P.L.2020, c.117) that prohibited certain businesses from selling or providing single-use products like plastic bags or straws. This bill directly affects retailers, restaurants, and other establishments previously restricted from offering these items. The repeal removes the legal ban, allowing those businesses to resume selling single-use products without penalty. No new funding or programs are created; the bill solely eliminates the existing prohibition. The bill's text confirms it repeals sections 1-9 of P.L.2020, c.117, which contained the single-use product restrictions.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 922: Repeals law prohibiting sale or distribution of single-use plastic carryout bags, single-use paper carryout bags, polystyrene foam food service products, and single-use plastic straws.

This bill repeals New Jersey's existing ban on single-use plastic carryout bags, paper carryout bags, polystyrene foam food containers, and plastic straws. It directly affects retailers (who can now sell these items without restriction) and consumers (who regain access to these products). The bill removes the prohibition established in P.L.2020, c.117, without introducing new requirements or funding mechanisms. This is a straightforward policy change eliminating specific product restrictions.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3553: Exempts certain plastic materials processed at advanced plastic processing facilities from State laws regulating solid waste disposal and recycling.

This bill exempts plastic materials processed at designated "advanced plastic processing facilities" from New Jersey's solid waste disposal and recycling laws. These facilities must transform plastic into non-fuel products (like chemicals or monomers) using methods such as pyrolysis, not into fuel. The exemption excludes PETE (code 1) and HDPE (code 2) plastics. Processors using these facilities avoid state recycling/disposal rules but remain subject to air/water pollution and land-use laws.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 177: Eliminates prohibition on provision of single-use paper bags by grocery stores for delivery orders; requires certain retailers to repurpose cardboard boxes if feasible.

This bill allows grocery stores to provide single-use paper bags for delivery orders (with a fee), reversing a previous prohibition that banned such bags for delivery. It requires grocery stores and other retailers to repurpose cardboard delivery boxes for reuse when feasible, instead of discarding them. The change amends New Jersey's 2020 law that previously restricted both plastic and paper carryout bags, with the exception now explicitly permitting paper bags for delivery. This policy directly affects grocery stores, delivery services, and retailers handling food deliveries.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Recycling

All environment bills