TRENTON – The capital city joined a growing number of municipalities in New Jersey to crack down on the use of plastic shopping bags, the same day state lawmakers advanced legislation that would ban single-use plastic bags across the Garden State.
The council voted 7-0 Thursday night to approve a ban on single-use plastic bags in Trenton “for the preservation of the public health, safety and welfare” of residents and the environment.
The prohibition, spearheaded by at-large councilman Santiago Rodriguez, was initially set to take effect June 2020. But the legislative body agreed to amend the ordinance to push back the implementation date until Dec. 31, 2020 after looking to allay concerns raised by the Latino Merchant Association.
The organization was not opposed to the ban, which will impact businesses throughout the city, but asked the council to relax the date the ordinance would go into effect to give businesses more time to prepare for the change.
Under the adopted city law, first-time offenders face fines of $100, issued only after a written warning. Fines increase to $200 for second offenses and $500 for each subsequent offense. Retails must also provide customers with “compliant bags” for 10 cents apiece.
Rodriguez refused to speak to The Trentonian about one of his few victorious initiatives after Thursday night’s meeting.
“I have no comments,” he said.
At-large councilman Jerell Blakeley acknowledged the single-use plastic bag ban may become “superfluous” soon enough as state lawmakers advanced a more-stringent law that would ban not only single carryout plastic bags but also paper bags and Styrofoam containers.
That measure, sponsored by Sen. Bob Smith, passed the Democratic-led Senate Budget committee Thursday after being amended behind doors. The bill’s sponsors called it “landmark” legislation.
It comes after Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy last year vetoed legislation calling for a surcharge on plastic bags, saying he wanted a more “robust” approach.
Environmental groups have said if the bill is enacted it will be among the most expansive in the country.
Supporters say the bill will go a long way to remove toxic plastics clogging waterways. It will also remove exposure to plastics that could leach into the bloodstream through foam plastic food containers, they argue.
Opponents included plastics manufacturers, business and industry groups as well as some supermarkets.
Dozens of municipalities across New Jersey already have enacted regulations on single-use plastic bags. And eight states have also banned plastic bags, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Maine and Maryland have also passed bills banning Styrofoam. Hawaii has a de facto ban on paper bags with less than 40 percent recycled material, according to the conference.
Banning plastics gained some steam last summer when Starbucks announced it would begin to ban plastic straws in fewer than two years, and Kroger Co., the nation’s largest grocery chain, said it is phasing out plastic bags.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
