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Bill > S4238
NJ S4238
NJ S4238Repeals law prohibiting sale or distribution of single-use plastic carryout bags, single-use paper carryout bags, polystyrene foam food service products, and single-use plastic straws.
summary
Introduced
03/03/2025
03/03/2025
In Committee
03/03/2025
03/03/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill repeals the law establishing a ban on single-use plastic carryout bags, single-use paper carryout bags, polystyrene foam food service products, and single-use plastic straws. The bill also amends a portion of the law which established a $500,000 appropriation, from the Clean Communities Fund, for a public information and education program regarding free reusable carryout bags. The amendments would remove that appropriation. Current law prohibits stores and food service business from providing or selling single-use plastic carryout bags to customers, and prohibits grocery stores from providing or selling single-use paper carryout bags to customers. The law also prohibits distribution of polystyrene foam food service products. A Plastics Advisory Council monitors the implementation of the law, and fees collected from establishments, in violation of the law, currently accrue to the Clean Communities Program Fund. It is the sponsor's intention to eliminate this law in its entirety, as it has resulted in an increased volume of waste in the State through the production and accumulation of unused bags, straws, and other disposable products. Research indicates that plastic bag bans have been associated with increased purchasing of alternative bags and containers and a resultant increase in manufacturing-related pollution. New Jersey stores and food service businesses have noticed a three-fold increase in plastic consumption since the implementation of this law, attributed to the non-recyclable material used in alternative bags. Carryout grocery bag regulations have also been associated with a 127-pound monthly average increase in the number of purchased plastics. This bill would take effect on the 60th day after the date of enactment to allow business and stores two months to restore available supplies of single-use plastic carryout bags, single-use paper carryout bags, polystyrene foam food service products, and single-use plastic straws.
AI Summary
This bill seeks to repeal New Jersey's existing law that banned single-use plastic carryout bags, single-use paper carryout bags, polystyrene foam food service products, and single-use plastic straws. The bill eliminates sections 1-9 of the previous legislation and removes a $500,000 appropriation from the Clean Communities Fund that was previously designated for a public information and education program about reusable carryout bags. The sponsor's motivation stems from research suggesting that the plastic bag ban has actually increased waste and plastic consumption, with stores reporting a three-fold increase in plastic use since the law's implementation. The bill argues that alternative bags have led to more manufacturing-related pollution and that carryout bag regulations have resulted in a significant increase in plastic purchasing. To provide a smooth transition, the bill will take effect 60 days after enactment, giving businesses and stores two months to restore their supplies of single-use plastic bags, paper bags, foam food service products, and plastic straws. By repealing the previous law, the bill aims to remove what it considers to be counterproductive environmental regulations that have inadvertently increased plastic waste.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee (on 03/03/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S4238 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S4500/4238_I1.HTM |
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