Bergen County lawmaker, Assemblyman John Azzariti Jr., is the first to introduce legislation repealing the state’s 2020 law banning single-use plastics and paper bags. The bill follows President Donald Trump’s executive order to bring back plastic straws and studies demonstrating how reusable bags actually increased waste in New Jersey.
“New Jersey implemented the most restrictive ban on single-use plastics, Styrofoam and paper carryout bags to much left-wing fanfare, but the unintended consequences of the law are starting to negate any environmental benefits,” Azzariti (R-Bergen) said. “Just because your intuition tells you something is going to be true, science can prove you wrong.”
According to a study released last year by the Freedonia Group, New Jersey’s anti-plastics law has been followed by a near tripling of plastic consumption. The reusable bags consumers are forced to purchase are manufactured with 15 to 20 times the amount of plastic used in the now prohibited single-use plastic bags. They are also being thrown away, or forgotten, after just a few uses.
In 1995, a person in New Jersey disposed of 11.83 pounds of waste on a daily basis. In 2021, that number jumped to about 13 pounds – the year that single-use plastics started to be phased out.
“New Jersey’s 9 million residents started accumulating massive amounts of woven and reusable bags after the plastic bag ban went into effect. It became so overwhelming that these bags eventually ended up in the garbage, because they aren’t recyclable or biodegradable,” Azzariti said. “There’s been no consensus on if the ban has worked, and in fact, there’s only evidence to suggest that prohibiting single-use plastics may even have the opposite effect.”
A study by Environmental and Resource Economics found restrictions on plastic grocery bags actually led to increased plastic garbage bag purchases. Over 120 pounds more plastic was purchased per store per month.
Alternative shopping bags made with non-woven polypropylene use over 15 times more plastic and generate more than five times the amount of greenhouse gas emissions during production than traditional plastic bags. Consequently, these bags end up having a much larger carbon footprint.
“My legislation isn’t only about being inconvenienced or disliking paper straws, although I think most people would generally agree with those two sentiments, it’s about looking at the broader impact of heavy-handed government mandates,” Azzariti said. “Just because the government declares something ‘bad’ for the environment, doesn’t mean it should be outlawed.”
One 2023 study by Belgian researchers found some paper and bamboo straws contain more PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” than plastic straws. Exposure to PFAS is linked to an increased risk of certain cancers. Even environmentalists have admitted to finding toxic dyes and glues in paper straws during testing.
The order Trump signed on Feb. 10 directs federal agencies to stop purchasing paper straws. The federal government buys more straws than any other group in the nation.
Azzariti’s bill (A5338) abolishes New Jersey’s law signed in 2020 that phased out single-use plastic bags and straws, paper carryout bags, and Styrofoam to-go containers.
“I think there are ways to reduce pollution, encourage recycling and be more environmentally-friendly without forcing residents to accept a flawed solution,” Azzariti said. |
Point of order: it costs gvt $ per plastic bag to process at the landfill with no redemption value to pay for their recovery
I wonder what plastic bag manufacturer funded these “studies” this assemblyman relied on. The plastic bag ban works so well it should be a model for the entire country. What a delight it is to look up in a tree and not see a plastic bag stuck in it anymore. And by the way ban the plastic reusable bags too if they are so much worse. What’s wrong with a cloth bag?
As a compromise, keep the ban on plastic bags, but allow paper bags since they’re biodegradable. They’re also perfect for holding other recyclables, such as newspapers. Definitely keep the ban on Styrofoam containers since they pretty much never degrade.
The Assemblyman’s comment that just because something is bad for the environment doesn’t mean that it should be banned is frightening. Apparently, he’s fine with a return to dirty air and water, and the loss of the ozone layer.
Reusable bags can retain harmful viruses and bacteria, such as E. coli, salmonella, and many other food-borne bacteria caused by meats, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. Most of the people don’t know that they need to sanitize their reusable bags, therefore their reusable bags are making many people sick.
It’s about time, these Democrats are ridiculous with their BS climate change.
Another New Green Steal that backfires!
The plastic bag ban made zero sense in the first place. Why ban the 5 grams of plastic per shopping trip that went into the bags when the contents there in contained 10 pounds of plastic packaging? Because it is easier to inconvenience consumers and have them sacrifice, even though consumers aren’t the actual problem. Ban plastic packaging first, then talk to me about the bags.
You’d think from the way some people talk about using reusable bags that they’re being asked to cut off a finger each time they go to the grocery store. I am genuinely baffled as to how some find it so difficult to reuse bags, here’s how in 3 easy steps.
1. Take bags to the grocery store when you need to shop
2. Put groceries in bags when checking out, and take them home
3. Unload groceries at home, and put bags back in car
(Repeat as necessary)
products ordered to be delivered have more plastic than anything…. might save gas having the delivery truck service several consumers instead of separate car trips but definitely ups the amount of plastic
This ban was ridiculous to begin with. You still have plastic bags for your produce and you still get your drink in a plastic cup. You still need garbage bags, ziplock bags etc.. at home so you will always need plastic bags. It’s costing more money for consumers to keep buying bags and some stores charge you $0.50 to $1.00 per bag. They are making money on the reusable bags.
I am so sick of all of the government overregulation in New Jersey. I legally must have some moron work to pump my gasoline for me, most stores have to be closed in Bergen County on Sundays due to the ridiculous blue laws, we cannot get bags in most of the stores, we have expensive tolls on so many roads which are often in horrible condition and have miserable traffic, and we usually have to pay to use a beach. Furthermore, we pay skyrocketing amounts of money on our taxes in order to live in this awful state. Long live Florida!