This bill amends existing legislation to allow grocery stores in New Jersey to provide single-use paper carryout bags to customers, but only if these bags contain a significant amount of postconsumer recycled content. Specifically, the bill stipulates that the paper bags must meet or exceed the postconsumer recycled content requirements established in a previous law, which mandates that paper carryout bags contain, on average, at least 40 percent postconsumer recycled content, or 20 percent for bags that hold eight pounds or less.

Additionally, the bill reinforces the prohibition on single-use plastic carryout bags and emphasizes the importance of reducing plastic pollution in the environment. It also clarifies definitions related to carryout bags and introduces the term "sustainable paper carryout bag" to categorize those that meet the recycled content criteria. The legislation aims to balance the need for carryout bags with environmental considerations, promoting the use of more sustainable options while addressing the issue of plastic waste.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 13:1E-99.126, 13:1E-99.127, 13:1E-99.128