It's Official: Long Beach Township Bans Plastic Bags

LONG BEACH TOWNSHIP, NJ - Are you planning a trip to Long Beach Township anytime soon? If so, better bring your own reusable bags to go shopping, now that township officials have banned the use of plastic bags anywhere in the township.

"No business or store shall provide any single use plastic carryout bags to customers," according to the ordinance.

That includes includes pharmacies, supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, clothing stores, surf shops, food marts and food service establishments, the ordinance states.

However, bait shops are still allowed to use plastic bags.

A reusable bag must be machine washable, able to stand repeated uses and be capable of carrying a minimum of 18 pounds, according to the ordinance.

Long Beach Township is providing two reusable bags to residents and visitors, Mayor Joseph H. Mancini said at a recent Board of Commissioners meeting.

So far, 750 bags have been distributed, but the township has ordered thousands more for the expected crush of summer visitors, the mayor said.

"We still have about 9,000 available," Mancini said. "The summer people aren't here yet. That's why we've got so many."

Photo: Courtesy of Long Beach Township