NEWARK, NJ — Newark City Council tabled an ordinance on Wednesday that would prohibit plastic bags by businesses in Newark.

The bill was previously deferred since August and it failed at a November council meeting. Council members, with the exception of LaMonica McIver, voted to table the bill.

McIver said she has been supportive of the ban since its introduction.

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"I am a strong advocate of banning plastic bags and other materials that jeopardize our environment," McIver told TAPinto Newark. "We definitely need to consider this in Newark. Sometimes we shy away from it because it can be a hardship or educational struggle in our community."

Other council members previously suggested the legislative body wait until lawmakers in Trenton approve a statewide ban.

McIver is hopeful the legislation will pass in the New Jersey Assembly tomorrow.

"I don’t want that to deter our growth and ability in the city to ban plastic bags," she said, hoping Newark can reach a place where residents and community members may be educated on banning plastic bags and other harmful materials.

The ordinance had set out to alleviate significant litter problems in Newark neighborhoods, parks and sewer systems, and to better protect the marine environment, advance solid waste reduction, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and keep waterways clean.





At a November city council meeting, Council President Mildred C. Crump said she could not support the measure because it did not include a plan of action for small businesses who she believed would be most impacted.

Other members said the bill did not go far enough to eliminate the use of other products such as straws and styrofoam cups.