New Jersey’s bag ban is an overwhelming success. Let’s keep the momentum going. | Opinion

Published: Oct. 05, 2022, 1:30 p.m. | nj.com | Star-Ledger Guest Columnist | By JoAnn Gemenden

To help combat litter in New Jersey and to mitigate ocean pollution, the state Legislature adopted one of the most comprehensive bans on single-use paper and plastic bags in the nation. That law went into effect on May 4 of this year and the initial results are astounding.

During September’s International Coast Cleanup (ICC) programs, coordinators were eager to report the significant decrease in the number of plastic bags that were found in cleanups throughout the state.

Moreover, the New Jersey Food Council recently polled the owners of 160 food retail locations in the state. Collectively, these stores have eliminated 1.1 million paper bags each month as well as 55 million single-use plastic bags per month since the ban went into effect.

The law is clearly working, to the direct benefit of our environment, waterways and communities. Let us not forget that litter is not just unsightly — litter-free neighborhoods encourage economic investment, job creation and enhancement of property values.

In fact, in my many years working to fight litter in New Jersey, I cannot recall another law that has had such an immediate and dramatic effect on addressing this issue in New Jersey. After just five months of this law’s enactment, our state legislators and Gov. Phil Murphy should be lauded for this bold move, which should serve as a template for other states committed to fighting litter prevention.

We understand there may be potential adjustments to this legislation to ensure its full effectiveness. Before we consider unraveling the environmental progress that has been made, let’s allow time for the law to be fully rolled out, further engaging consumers and further promoting reuse and recycling throughout the state.

The New Jersey Clean Communities Council and food retailers are already working closely with New Jersey’s food banks and their local partners to promote and enhance the donation of reusable bags for our neighbors in need. Customers with extra reusable bags are strongly encouraged to donate through the New Jersey Food Bank network.

Furthermore, stores are offering convenient reusable bag return kiosks and launching convenient bag recycling programs. We encourage shoppers to check with the courtesy counter at the local grocery store for its plan.

It is also important to note that online shoppers do not need to accept a reusable bag with their curbside or pickup orders. They can simply request to go without and bag their own items, thereby cutting down on excess reusable bags.

Please remember that one of the key reasons for New Jersey extending the bag law to include paper bags is the fact that single-use paper bags have an extremely high environmental impact, contributing to climate change, loss of forestry and poor air quality. In fact, a United Nations study in 2020 indicated that paper bags have the same environmental impact as plastic bags, concluding that “the shopping bag that has the least impact on the environment is the bag the consumer already has at home.”

Let’s entrust the state’s Plastics Advisory Council to evaluate the effectiveness of this landmark legislation and recommend needed changes to ensure its success.

Meanwhile, New Jersey must move ahead with this model anti-litter program for today and a litter-free tomorrow.

JoAnn Gemenden is the executive director of the New Jersey Clean Communities Council.