The bill, which would make the state the first to ban single-use paper bags in supermarkets, would also ban single-use plastic bags in stores and restaurants
The state legislature on Thursday voted to make New Jersey the first in the country to ban single-use paper bags in supermarkets, as well as all single-use plastic bags in stores and restaurants
Eight more states, including California, New York and Vermont, have single-use plastic bag bans in effect now or expected to come into effect in the coming years
But by banning single-use plastic and paper bags, as well as disposable styrofoam containers and cups, conservationists have said New Jersey’s bill is among the strictest the United States
« This bill is possibly the strongest and most comprehensive plastics and packaging bill in the country, » said Jeff Tittle, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, who had helped lead the campaign for the ban « This will go a long way in our fight against plastic pollution »
Opponents of the bill argued that it could hurt businesses and the ban should be limited to plastic bags, as many see paper bags as an environmentally friendly alternative
But M Tittle said that by banning paper bags, New Jersey would push people to use bags made from recycled or sustainable materials.
Heidi Brock, president and CEO of the American Forest and Paper Association, which represents companies that are part of the paper industry, said she hopes the governor will block the ban on paper bags
« The New Jersey legislature has undermined an environmentally responsible option for consumers, » she said in a statement Thursday “Additionally, the paper bag ban sends an alarming message by devaluing wage-earning family jobs, often unionized, in addition to indirect jobs supported by the paper and wood products industry in the state. »
The ban would start 18 months after the bill goes into effect A spokesman for Gov. Philippe D Murphy said on Thursday that Mr. Murphy intended to sign the bill
« Governor is proud to support the country’s toughest bag ban, » spokesman Mahen Gunaratna said « This bill will significantly reduce the damage these products cause to our environment »
Single-use plastic and paper bags have environmental costs that have caught the attention of conservationists and lawmakers in recent years
Plastic bags, which can take centuries to decompose, account for about 12% of total plastic waste in America Paper bags generally require more energy and greenhouse gas emissions to produce
States and cities have adopted a patchwork of different bag use policies Some, like New York State, have focused on banning the distribution of plastic bags, which have long been associated to waste and pollution
States have also adopted less restrictive measures to deter people from using paper bags For example, in California stores must charge at least 10 cents for recycled paper bags
New York’s plastic bag ban was due to go into effect on March 1 But a lawsuit challenging the ban delayed its implementation Last week, state officials said the ban would now come into effect effective October 19
Several states, including Florida, have gone the other way, passing laws banning local governments from banning plastic bags The plastics industry is also using the pandemic to claim that plastic bags for use unique are safer than reusable bags
In fact, some businesses in New Jersey and elsewhere have stopped allowing customers to use their own bags during the outbreak
The New Jersey bill states that the ban on plastic and paper bags does not apply to bags used solely to wrap meat or fish, laundry bags or newspaper bags, among other exceptions
The bill drew support from the New Jersey Food Council, an industry group representing retailers and food suppliers, which argued that the management of different policies on bags that can be used in different municipalities the state was a daunting task for retailers
“The ban on paper bags is of critical importance; they have an environmental impact just as important as plastic bags, « said Linda Doherty, president and CEO of the board » Without this ban, consumers would have simply switched to single-use paper bags, without achieving the objective under – underlying to reduce our dependence on single-use products »
Dennis Hart, executive director of the New Jersey Chemical Board, said lawmakers rushed to pass the bill without carefully considering the relative advantages of polystyrene products over alternatives He said the ban would hurt manufacturers and other New Jersey-based businesses
“New Jersey restaurants, God knows how many of them will survive the pandemic,” he said. “Even if they do, they’ll be in bad financial shape for a very long time. bill will do is add more cost burden for a lower quality product «
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World news – United States – Even paper bags will be banned from NJ Supermarkets
