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The ban on single-use plastic bags, set to take effect May 4, is creating opportunities to sell branded alternatives, like totes. A major supermarket is already giving out free logoed totes this week.

New Jersey locations for supermarket chain Stop & Shop are giving out free reusable bags to customers on May 2 and 3 in advance of a ban on single-use plastic bags that is set to take effect May 4 throughout the Garden State.

ASI Media has launched a new resource hub covering all things sustainability. Look for the Promo for the Planet logo on stories, or visit www.asicentral.com/promofortheplanet to stay up to date on all of our sustainability-related content, from case studies to in-depth features to infographics, videos, podcasts and more.

The giveaway of branded totes is a sign of the increased opportunity promotional products distributors have to sell logoed reusable bags in New Jersey, the nation’s most densely populated state. 

Stop & Shop locations in New Jersey were giving customers free, branded reusable totes in advance of a single-use plastic bag ban in the Garden State.

New Jersey’s law prohibits the provision or sale of single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene foam food-service products in all stores and food-service businesses statewide. The law also prohibits the provision or sale of single-use paper carryout bags by grocery stores that occupy 2,500 square feet or more.

The impetus behind the bans is environmental. Ban proponents say the bags become sources of litter and pollution, spoiling natural habitats and posing a danger to wildlife, which can choke on or become caught in the disposables.

“Plastic bags are one of the most problematic forms of garbage, leading to millions of discarded bags that stream annually into our landfills, rivers and oceans,” New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said in a statement. “We are addressing the problem of plastic pollution head-on with solutions that will help mitigate climate change and strengthen our environment for future generations.”

State officials and environmental advocates have been encouraging residents and businesses to use reusable bags as an alternative to the disposables – potentially good news for promo distributors.

Retailers of all sizes could be open to selling and/or providing customers with reusable bags, as Stop & Shop is doing. Branding those bags with a store’s name makes good business sense, given how often locals will be carrying around the reusables.

NJ's Bag Ban begins this Wednesday, May 4th! Please start to bring your reusable bags when you shop as the New Jersey Clean Communities Council reminds you to Plan for the Bag Ban. Learn more at https://t.co/EO2D98LXun #BagUpNJ #NJClean pic.twitter.com/S83RU8W3cC

More than just affected retailers are prospects. Businesses ranging from salons to gyms to yoga studios, aware of the ban and educated by a distributor on the marketing potential of reusable bags, could sell and/or give away bags to customers, knowing that the locals will no longer be able to rely on plastic disposables.

Companies based in and around New Jersey in various industries, particularly those that want to align their brand with a sustainability ethos, could also be keener to invest in branded reusable bags in light of the prohibitions.

The New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC) has launched a vendor clearinghouse to help Garden State business owners find reliable wholesalers and manufacturers from which they can purchase reusable and paper carryout bags that meet the requirements of the new regulations.

Vendors from any geographic region – including promo products companies – that are registered to do business in New Jersey and sell products that meet the requirements of the new law may sign up for the vendor list.

To be considered a “reusable carryout bag” under the law, a product must be made of polypropylene fabric, PET nonwoven fabric, nylon, cloth, hemp or other washable fabric; have stitched handles; and be designed and manufactured for at least 125 reuses.

As part of the law, the nonprofit NJ Clean Communities Council received a $1.5 million grant. To be given out over three years, the grant is for the council to deliver educational services and free reusable bags to communities. Officials from the nonprofit say that, since last May, outreach has included giveaways and more.

Try these three steps to offer New Jersey companies reusable bag options.

1. Develop a good/better/best pitch of reusable bag options for potential clients.

2. Register with New Jersey’s vendor clearinghouse to be a resource for businesses looking for reusable or paper bags that meet the requirements of the new regulations.

3. Reach out to companies in New Jersey (or ones that do business there) to explain the benefits of selling or giving away branded bags to their clientele.

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