Governor Phil Murphy today signed S864, which prohibits the use of single-use plastic and paper bags in all stores and food service businesses statewide. This bill is a significant step to reduce harm and pollution that these products cause to our environment.
“Plastic bags are one of the most problematic forms of garbage, leading to millions of discarded bags that stream annually into our landfills, rivers, and oceans,” said Governor Murphy. “With today’s historic bill signing, we are addressing the problem of plastic pollution head-on with solutions that will help mitigate climate change and strengthen our environment for future generations.”
Starting May 2022, both plastic and paper single-use bags, as well as disposable food containers and cups made out of polystyrene foam, will be banned. Paper bags require resources and energy to produce, contributing to pollution. Moving forward, the focus throughout the state will be on using reusable bags. The following products will be exempt for an additional two years after May 2022:
- Disposable, long-handled polystyrene foam soda spoons when required and used for thick drinks;
- Portion cups of two ounces or less, if used for hot foods or foods requiring lids;
- Meat and fish trays for raw or butchered meat, including poultry, or fish that is sold from a refrigerator or similar retail appliance;
- Any food product pre-packaged by the manufacturer with a polystyrene foam food service product; and
- Any other polystyrene foam food service product as determined necessary by Department of Environmental Protection.
May 2022? After his reelection? How convenient! I guess he’s hoping voters will not yet have been impacted by this crazy rule and will still vote for him.
Next novemeber vote out all democrats so this fascistic law can be repealed.
When did this pass the State assembly? Can we re-use plastic bags?
What about delivery boxes?
Sorry but this isn’t practical for large families.
I suppose people will have to have 10 reusable bags in there cars.
If we don’t vote out these senseless individuals we will have to resort to horse and buggy!
Governor Murphy – chasing down the _real_ issues that nobody cares about
What about disposable masks. Will they outlaw that and force everyone to wear the same disgusting dirty mask again and again.
Typical liberal feel good legislation. Force everyone to put their food into dirty, smelly bags. Can’t wait to see how they reconcile that notion with the COVID OCD drama they’ve foisted on us.
Democrats/Liberals live in a world of theory…Conservatives live in a world practicality…if libs vote for libs to govern over libs than you got what you voted for…but when libs vote for libs to govern over practical people….