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Bill

S 1476

Authorizes grocery stores to provide certain single-use paper carryout bags to customers.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Kristin Corrado and 1 co-sponsor

New Jersey bill permits grocery stores to distribute single-use paper carryout bags to customers, potentially modifying existing single-use plastic bag restrictions.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee
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Bill Summary · S 1476

Legislative bill overview

S 1476 authorizes grocery stores in New Jersey to provide single-use paper carryout bags to customers. This represents a reversal or modification of existing restrictions on single-use plastic bags that New Jersey has implemented. The bill would create an exemption allowing paper bags specifically for grocery store use.

Why is this important

New Jersey has been a national leader in plastic bag restrictions, with a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags in retail settings. This bill signals a potential shift in that environmental policy, affecting both retailers' operations and consumer behavior around bag usage. The outcome could impact waste management practices and environmental goals the state has previously prioritized.

Potential points of contention

  • Environmental trade-off: While paper bags are biodegradable, they require significant resources to produce and transport, raising questions about whether this represents genuine environmental progress compared to reusable alternatives
  • Rollback of existing policy: This appears to contradict New Jersey's existing plastic bag ban framework, creating confusion about the state's environmental commitment and potentially weakening broader waste reduction goals
  • Implementation clarity: The bill's language on "certain" paper bags is vague—it's unclear what standards bags must meet, whether this applies to all grocers, or if there are environmental performance requirements

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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