The New Jersey Legislature passed a clear bill Thursday that would make the state number one in the country banning single-use paper bags in supermarkets.
The bill, which would also ban single-use plastic bags and limit the use of polystyrene takeout boxes and in some cases plastic straws, would now lead the government to Gil Phil Murphy.
The governor’s office could not be reached for comment Friday. But his spokesman, Mahen Gunaratne, told The New York Times that Murphy supports the law.
“The governor is proud to support the strongest bag ban in the country,” the spokesman said. With this bill, these products will significantly reduce the damage to our environment. “
Environmentalists in the state hailed the law as an important step in preventing pollution from plastics, paper and polystyrene.
“The New Jersey Assembly voted to allow the most single-use ban on plastics in the country to prioritize our wildlife and our communities over the endless plastic waste that pollutes our waterways,” said Du O Malley, an environmental New Jersey. .
Eight other states have passed bans on the use of single-use plastic bags in supermarkets, including New York State’s neighbor, New York State, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Some of these states have temporarily eased their restrictions amid epidemics due to concerns about the possible transmission of coronavirus through reusable bags.
New Jersey bill to ban single-use plastic and paper bags in supermarkets
It will prohibit any business that sells or supplies food in plastic strain containers or foam cups containing polystyrene takeout containers or foam cups containing more than two ounces of liquid or for use on their premises Customers are given plastic straws.
Murphy vetoed a bill in 2018 that would have added a 5 percent fee to single-use plastic carryout bags.
“I can’t support this bill,” Murphy said in a statement at the time. “While well-intentioned, the approach reflected in this bill would make me incomplete and inadequate.”
Republican lawmakers opposed the bill, saying it would hurt small businesses already affected by the epidemic.
Dennis Hart, executive director of the Chemistry Council, which represents plastic manufacturers, said the bill affects manufacturing plants in New Jersey and New Jersey jobs during this terrible economic and epidemic period.
Associated Press Contributed.
