New Jersey’s plastic bag ban is leading to rampant theft of shopping baskets at grocery stores in the state. It’s gotten so bad that some stores are now applying anti-theft devices to baskets to deter theft.
Governor Phil Murphy’s plastic bag ban went into effect on May 4, and according to NJ.com, one Jersey Shore ShopRite has run out of baskets and has stated they won’t be buying new ones, since they’re assuming they will be stolen as well.
Other stores across the state have expressed similar sentiments, leading some to wonder whether grocery baskets will soon be a thing of the past in New Jersey.