Paper or plastic? How about neither, as New Jersey moves closer to bag ban

Scott Fallon | NorthJersey

Show Caption Hide Caption NJ recycling: What plastics you can recycle and which ones you can't Reporter Scott Fallon talks to Environmental Consultant Wayne DeFeo about which plastics can be recycled and which plastics you can't

Supporters and opponents of a much-debated bill that would place restrictions on a wide array of everyday plastic products agree on one thing:

New Jerseyans are going to have to change their habits if this becomes law.

As written right now, the bill would impose some of the most stringent regulations on plastic bags, paper bags, plastic straws and polystyrene food containers in the nation.

The bill is changing quite a bit as it makes its way through Trenton — the latest alteration came in a series of amendments approved last week by a state Senate committee.

And there may be more changes when the full Legislature takes up the measure, likely within the next month.

But for now, here are its major components:

Most plastic and paper bags will be banned

As early as 2021, all retail stores — along with restaurants, convenience stores, coffee shops, food trucks, catering halls, cafeterias and similar food businesses in New Jersey — would be barred from giving customers a carryout plastic bag of any thickness.

All but the smallest grocery stores would also be barred from giving out paper bags.

But a ban on paper bags may be the one provision that doesn't make it into law.

Some legislators have said the bill went too far and stores should be able to charge customers a small fee for paper bags as a deterrent. Some environmentalists said they are willing to give up the paper bag ban as a concession to supermarkets if it means getting everything else in the bill passed.

These plastic bags won't be banned

Thick woven plastic bags with stitched handles that most supermarkets sell for about $1

Small bags used solely to contain food that's prepared to order, like sliced deli meats and soup or other hot food

Those used to hold uncooked meat, fish or poultry

Those that hold fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, coffee, baked goods, candy, greeting cards, flowers or small hardware items.

Those used solely to contain live animals, such as fish or insects sold in a pet store.

Bags holding prescription drugs

Newspaper bags

Dry cleaning bags

Free bags for a limited time

For two months after the bag ban takes effect, supermarkets would be required to provide reusable carryout bags to customers for free.

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Styrofoam cups, plates, forks

As early as 2022, no one would be able to sell a "polystyrene foam foodservice product" and most restaurants would not be able to give out a "polystyrene foam foodservice product."

So what is a "polystyrene foodservice product?"

Well, polystyrene foam is commonly referred to as Styrofoam.

And the ban would include:

Food containers like the ubiquitous clamshell takeout cartons

Plates

Hot or cold beverage cups

Meat or vegetable trays

Utensils made of polystyrene (some are made from other plastics).

Egg cartons

The ban does not include packaging materials.

There are a few polystyrene products that would not be banned until 2024 at the earliest. These include:

Trays for raw meat, poultry or fish like the kind you find in a supermarket

Containers for food pre-packaged by a manufacturer, like instant soup

Small cups of 2 ounces or less used for hot foods or foods requiring lids

Long-handled soda spoons used for thick drinks

Not every business would have to adhere to these bans as quickly as others.

A business that takes in less than $500,000 a year would have an additional year to comply with the ban if "there is no reasonably affordable, commercially-available alternative" to the foam product.

Gotta ask for a plastic straw

Plastic straws would not be banned.

In fact, restaurants, convenience stores and other food businesses would be required to keep an adequate supply of plastic straws on hand.

But as early as 2021, restaurants could give one to a customer only upon request.

This is intended for those with permanent disabilities, temporary medical conditions or injuries who require a bendable plastic straw.

The juice box exemption

Stores can still sell packages of plastic straws to customers for home use.

And stores can still sell beverages that come with a plastic straw "including, but not limited to, a juice box."

My town passed a ban. What happens to that?

Dozens of New Jersey towns have passed local plastic bans over the past few years.

All local bans would stay in effect until the statewide ban takes effect.

Sponsors of the bill want a uniform standard for the entire state.

Pay up, scofflaws

Municipal health inspectors would enforce the bans.

The first offense is a warning. The second would cause a fine of up to $1,000. Subsequent offenses receive fines of up to $5,000.

Towns would keep 30 percent of the revenue from fines. The rest would go to the state Clean Communities Program Fund, which provides money to communities to clean up litter.

Scott Fallon covers the environment for NorthJersey.com. To get unlimited access to the latest news about how New Jersey’s environment affects your health and well-being, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: fallon@northjersey.com Twitter: @newsfallon