With many New Jersey municipalities already having passed ordinances to reduce the use of plastic bags, straws, and Styrofoam containers, move is on for a statewide policy
Tom Johnson reports for NJ Spotlight
New Jersey is inching toward another run at banning single-use plastic bags, and paper bags may get caught up in the prohibition this time around.
The ban is attracting increasing support among residents, businesses and even municipal governments since Gov. Phil Murphy last summer vetoed a bill banning plastic bags while imposing a nickel fee on paper bags. (The governor vetoed it because he said he wanted a stronger version.)
Since then, more than 50 New Jersey municipalities have passed ordinances toreduce the use of plastic bags, straws, balloons, and Styrofoam containers. Other states have followed suit. Maine banned polystyrene containers. New York prohibited single-use plastic bags in March.
Advocates are hoping the spread of locally-adopted bans will pressure New Jersey lawmakers to move forward with legislation (S-2776) that is bogged down in a Senate committee. With a patchwork of different, local bans, even those who oppose such ordinances would rather embrace a uniform statewide policy as the bill does.
Sen. Bob Smith, the chairman of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee and sponsor of the statewide ban, welcomed the action by local governments. “The towns have been the leaders on this,’’ he said. “Their effort has put us in a better position to pass this.’’
