Bill
Bill > S643
NJ S643
NJ S643Eliminates prohibition on paper bags, and allows packaging options, for certain grocery orders for three years; requires program for disposition of reusable bags; extends timeframe for use of certain bags by food banks and pantries.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill authorizes a third party grocery delivery service or a grocery store to provide, or sell to customers for a fee, any of the following options for groceries prepared for delivery, pickup, or curbside pickup: 1) single-use paper carryout bags, provided that the bags contain at least 40 percent postconsumer recycled content; 2) cardboard boxes; or 3) reusable bags. Under the bill, if a grocery store or third party grocery delivery service provides customers more than one packaging option, the customer may choose one of the available packaging options. A grocery store or third party grocery delivery service may also provide customers the option of receiving unpackaged groceries to a receptacle provided by the customer where the groceries can be safely delivered. Beginning three years after the bill's effective date, third party grocery delivery services and grocery stores would no longer be authorized to provide paper bags or cardboard boxes. Finally, the bill requires grocery stores and third party grocery delivery services that provide reusable bags for home delivery to establish a program for the return, sanitation, and reuse of the reusable bags, a program to recycle the returned reusable bags, or a donation program to donate the reusable bags returned by customers to a food bank or food pantry. Grocery stores and third party delivery services would not be required to take back reusable bags provided to customers by another grocery store or third party delivery service.
AI Summary
This bill allows grocery stores and third-party delivery services, like Instacart or DoorDash, to offer customers various packaging options for groceries ordered for delivery or pickup for a period of three years, including single-use paper bags made with at least 40% recycled content, cardboard boxes, or reusable bags, and also permits customers to opt for unpackaged groceries delivered to their own containers. After these three years, the option to provide paper bags or cardboard boxes will be eliminated. The bill also mandates that any grocery store or delivery service providing reusable bags for home delivery must establish a program for their return, cleaning, and reuse, or a program for their recycling or donation to food banks or pantries, with the understanding that they are not obligated to accept reusable bags from other businesses. Additionally, the bill extends the timeframe for food banks and pantries to stop providing single-use plastic bags to customers.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S643 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S1000/643_I1.HTM |
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