ANIMATION BY GHITA KDIRY
Nov. 5, 2020
By Nickolas Medina
Staff Writer
In an effort to encourage customers in the Garden State to “go green,” Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill on Nov. 4 that bans single-use bags, containers, plates, cups and utensils. On Sept. 24, New Jersey lawmakers passed the bill, which is the strictest of its kind in the nation. However, the new law will not go into effect until May 2022.
The ban includes the following exceptions:
- Plastic straws will be allowed upon request in restaurants for one year after the law has been signed
- Bags used for uncooked meat, fish and poultry
- Reusable carryout bags
- Bags used for live animals
- Bags used to contain food prepared to order, including hot food or soup
- A laundry, dry cleaning or garment bag
- Bags used for prescription drugs
- Newspaper bags
- Disposable foam spoons for thick drinks
- Two ounce or less cups used for hot foods
- Trays for uncooked meat, fish and poultry
- Food prepackaged in foam by the producer
Biology teacher Ms. Manzella, who advises the Environmental Club, said she supports the law.
“I do not think banning one-time-use plastic and paper bags alone is enough to help save our planet, but I think that it will help reduce our environmental impact and is a good start to changing people’s habits of relying heavily on one-time-use plastics,” Manzella said. “I am a big believer in the idea that a number of small changes made by the population can lead to big impacts.”
While some people advocate for a tougher ban, Manzella said the new law is appropriate.
“Completely banning all plastic and paper bags all at once [would] be a huge adjustment [because] there are some situations—such as dealing with uncooked meat—where they need to account for safety and reducing cross-contamination or spread of bacteria and viruses,” Manzella said.
She said future environmental legislation should focus on big business and corporations rather than on individuals.
“Also, I would like to see more laws that tackle society’s use of fossil fuels to help reduce their effect on climate,” Manzella said.
Like Manzella, junior Trystan Guzman said environmental laws should address a wider range of environmental threats.
“I am a big believer in the idea that a number of small changes made by the population can lead to big impacts.”
“I would have thought that it would try and combat pollution from cars and other fossil fuel-intensive projects,” Guzman said. “It’s kind of weird to me that the bill is so focused on plastic and paper bags.”
He said the law will be good for the environment, but customers will have to get used to the ban.
“Just like wearing a mask in stores, I will have to change the way I shop in the future if I want to see any change,” Guzman said.
He said the legislation may cause customers to change their habits by using reusable bags or making fewer purchases.
Mr. Newman, who teaches Economics of Business as well as Law and Civics, said he hopes the legislation will help improve the environment, but he is also skeptical.
“Sometimes I question these decisions if they are just political theater where politicians are championing a cause for their own political gain or that this is truly for the betterment of our environment?” Newman said. “Is money being taxed on bags going to an environmental cause, or is it another source of revenue that the state will misuse?”
While Newman said he is in favor of further bills curbing climate change, he is doubtful they will be adopted and enforced in a timely fashion.
“Notice how this law is being enacted in the spring of 2022, not this upcoming spring,” Newman said.
He said people are likely to be upset when the ban goes into effect.
“Even though this law isn’t seemingly dramatic, and many people use reusable bags for shopping now, there will still be many people that will be shocked the plastic bags are gone,” Newman said. “Mark it now. Facebook in the Spring 2022 will be lit up with snarky comments about the banning of plastic bags.”
