Can You Donate Reusable Shopping Bags In New Jersey?
New Jersey’s single-use plastic bag ban has been in place since 2022, but the need for reusable shopping bags remains. Our network of food pantries and other community partners continues to rely on donations and grant funding to provide food and other necessities to our neighbors in need. Reusable bags are an important part of that effort, helping our partners distribute food with dignity.
How To Donate Your Reusable Shopping Bags
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey is partnering with GOATOTE, with support from New Jersey Clean Communities Council (NJCCC), to give reusable shopping bags a second life while supporting safe and dignified food distribution.
GOATOTE operates circular recovery programs for reusable bags, providing collection, professional cleaning, inspection, sorting and redistribution services. Through this partnership, donated shopping bags are professionally processed and prepared for reuse across CFBNJ’s network.
Bags that meet quality standards are returned to circulation clean, functional and ready to support food distribution. Bags that are no longer suitable for reuse are directed toward responsible end-of-life management.
Together, CFBNJ, GOATOTE and NJCCC are helping extend the life of reusable bags, reduce waste and create a more circular system for an everyday item.
GOATOTE DROP OFF LOCATIONS:
Replenish: 28 Kennedy Boulevard, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
CUMAC: 223 Ellison Street, Paterson, NJ 07505
Jois Angels: 114 South Arlington Avenue, East Orange, NJ 07018
How Do I Clean My Reusable Shopping Bags?
There are several ways to sanitize your reusable bags!
Ways to clean for specific materials:
- Woven or nonwoven polypropylene bags: Machine wash on a gentle cycle with soap (not detergent!) and cold water. Or, you can hand wash in your kitchen or bathroom sink with soap and water. Skip the dryer — instead, hang or line dry.
- Nylon or polyester: Hand wash in warm water with soap (not detergent!). Turn the bag inside out and line dry.
- Bamboo or hemp bags: Launder on a gentle cycle with mild detergent or soap. (Or hand wash.) Machine or hang dry.
- Cotton bags: Launder with hot water and your normal, go-to detergent. (Or hand wash.) Machine or hang dry.
- Insulated bags: Hand wash with soap and warm water (don’t forget the inner and outer seams). Wipe with disinfecting wipes. Hang dry.
You can also use disinfecting wipes or sprays to clean bags. You can normally determine the material of the bag by some form of manufacturer tag.
Register Your Reusable Bag Donation Event
Fill out the form below to help register your donation event