The day is almost here when shoppers in New Jersey will have to bag the idea that plastic bags will be there at the check-out counter. At big stores, there won’t be any paper bags at check-out, either. That day is May 4.

N.J. Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette started the month-away countdown by urging the public to get ready for the state’s plastic bag and polystyrene foam food-service container law that takes effect May 4, by stocking up on reusable bags…