Need A Reusable Bag Before NJ Plastic Ban? Stores Around Wayne Giving Them Away For Free

WAYNE, NJ — New Jerseyans have known a statewide single-use bag ban was coming ever since Gov. Phil Murphy signed it into law in November 2020. But shoppers who still need reusable bags by the time the law goes into effect Wednesday can find some, without spending a cent on them.

Several Wayne-area stores will give away reusable bags for free. Stop & Shop in Wayne has bags available for customers as of Monday morning. Bags are limited to one per customer.

Additionally, all Wawa locations in New Jersey will provide a free reusable bag with each purchase starting at 7 a.m. Wednesday. Each store plans to distribute 1,000 free bags before selling them at 35 cents each. Wawa stores near Wayne include locations in Fairfield, Garfield and Parsippany.

Beginning Wednesday, New Jersey will prohibit retail, grocery stores and restaurants from providing or selling single-use plastic bags or polystyrene foam food service products. Grocery stores 2,500 square feet or larger can sell reusable bags. Smaller shops, such as convenience stores, can do the same while also providing or selling single-use paper bags.

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