Scotch Plains Prepares For NJ Ban On Single-Use Plastic Bags

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — With the statewide ban on single-use plastic bags beginning on May 4 this year, Scotch Plains' Green Team is ahead of the curve and preparing residents for the switch to reusable bags.

In Deputy Mayor Elizabeth Stamler's message to the community on Friday, she announced that the Green Team will be providing Scotch Plains residents with reusable bags to use while grocery shopping as part of its initiative to educate residents about ways to lead a greener lifestyle.

Beginning May 4, NJ law will prohibit all stores (including retail), food service businesses and grocery stores from selling or providing customers with single-use plastic carryout bags. In addition, grocery stores larger than 2,500 square feet may not provide or sell single-use paper bags and can only provide or sell reusable bags.

These "stores" include any grocery store, convenience store, liquor store, pharmacy, drug store or other retail establishment.

In response to this ban, the Green Team is partnering with New Jersey Clean Communities Council on its statewide "Bag Up NJ" campaign to provide Scotch Plains residents with reusable bags they can use while shopping.

Stamler also said the Green Team works throughout the year on litter clean-ups and is always looking for volunteers to join them with bags and gloves. The weekly E-Messager will provide information for the spring clean-ups.

Additionally, Stamler said she is continuing to serve as Secretary of the NJ Sharing Network Foundation Board and as a board member of Hearts for Emma, as advocating for organ tissue donation is an important cause to her.

Read her entire message on the Township website here.

Visit https://www.bagupnj.com/ to learn more about the Bag Ban and the Clean Communities Council's campaign.

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