PERTH AMBOY – With a little more than a month until the state’s ban on plastic and paper bags goes into effect, the 19th district legislators had just one message for shoppers at a local supermarket: Remember to start bringing your own bags.
Senator Joe Vitale, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez (D-19th) were at the local supermarket in Perth Amboy, handing out reusable bags as people pushed their carts by the fresh produce. The lawmakers were participating in the statewide Reusable Bag Education campaign, coordinated through the New Jersey Clean Communities Council (NJCCC).
New Jersey Food Council President Linda Doherty, who attended the bag give-away in Perth Amboy, expressed her appreciation to the three lawmakers. “It is important that state leaders explain the new state law to shoppers and lend an important voice to this outreach campaign,” she said. “They know their constituents well and have built lasting community relationships. They are important ambassadors.”
Many of the shoppers already seemed aware that the new state law goes into effect on May 4. The supermarket had signage at the entrance reminding shoppers, as well as a public service announcement piped through the sound system from the New Jersey Food Council, a Reusable Bag Education partner.
“Even though the law doesn’t go into effect until May, we are hoping that New Jerseyans can start getting in the habit of bringing their own bags now,” Coughlin said, as he handed out reusable bags and Reusable Bag Education literature. “Single-use plastic bags have been an ongoing litter problem, and with this law we are better encouraging eco-friendly behavior for the benefit of our environment and community health.”
On Nov. 4, 2020, Gov. Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Legislature enacted the most progressive bag ban law in the country. The law encourages the use of reusable bags by phasing out single-use plastic and paper bags.
The law bans single-use plastic bags at grocery stores and retail outlets, as well as paper bags at grocery stores measuring more than 2,500 square feet. It also bans polystyrene foam food service products; and makes plastic straws at restaurants available only upon request. The state law supersedes any local ordinances already in place for these products.
Vitale said he was pleased the NJCCC is undertaking this statewide education campaign, which targets overburdened communities in New Jersey where residents may not have easy access to information about the new law.
“It is important for us to get out into the community, explain the law and make sure people are aware that enforcement is coming soon, on May 4,” Vitale said. “The hope is that most shoppers will begin bringing their own bags now. That is why we are here today, handing out bags and providing important reminders.”
Lopez urged shoppers to visit the campaign website to learn more about the law and to access important information that is available to shoppers and business owners.
“Public awareness and meaningful outreach are integral to the successful implementation of this law,” Lopez said. “I am pleased to see there is a targeted effort to reach residents in communities like Perth Amboy and hope these efforts will expand to target communities across the state. May 4 is not that far away, and we need to make every effort to ensure our residents are prepared.”
The New Jersey Food Council is the Garden State’s preeminent trade association representing 1,200 retail food stores, wholesalers, manufacturing and service companies that collectively employ more than 250,000 associates in NJ. For more information, visit www.njfoodcouncil.com.