Paper bag ban passed by New Jersey legislature

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The New Jersey Legislature on Thursday passed a sweeping bill that would make the state the first in the country to ban single use of paper bags at supermarkets. The bill, which would also prohibit single use plastic bags and limit the use of polystyrene takeout boxes and in some cases plastic straws, now heads to Gov. Phil Murphy.

It would also prohibit any business that sells or provides food for consumption on or off their premises from providing polystyrene takeout containers or foam cups that hold more than two ounces of liquid, and requires that plastic straws be given to customers only upon request.

The governor's office spokesman, Mahen Gunaratna, told The New York Times that Murphy supports the legislation. The governor is proud to support the strongest bag ban in the nation. This bill will significantly reduce the harm that these products cause to our environment.

Environmentalists in the state praised the legislation as an important measure to help curb pollution from plastic, paper, and polystyrene.

Doug O’Malley, the director of Environment New Jersey said, New Jersey Assembly voted to pass the strongest single use ban on plastics in the country to prioritize our wildlife and our communities over endless plastic waste polluting our waterways.

Eight other states have passed bans on the use of single use plastic bags in supermarkets including New Jersey neighbor, New York state. Some of these states have temporarily eased their bans amid the pandemic due to concerns over the possible transmission of covid-19 through reusable bags.

Dennis Hart, the executive director of the Chemistry Council, which represents plastics manufacturers, This bill impacts manufacturing plants in New Jersey and New Jersey jobs during this terrible economic and pandemic time.