Jan. 28, 2019
By Emma Ferschweiler
Staff Writer
In September, members of the New Jersey senate approved a plastic ban across New Jersey, which would ban all plastic single use bags, polystyrene takeout boxes and plastic straws. There would also be a 10 cent tax on all paper bags.
Governor Phil Murphy vetoed this bill, however, explaining that while it would have benefited the environment, it would have burdened small businesses.
Based on research conducted by the Green Restaurant Association, the average restaurant typically produces 100,000 pounds of garbage per year. This waste includes paper, plastic, glass, metal, food waste, batteries and cardboard. Plastic is known to have particularly dangerous environmental effects because it does not biodegrade, spoils groundwater, attracts other pollutants and accumulates in landfills, according to the Plastic Pollution Coalition.
Law and Civics teacher Mr. Newman said he believes politicians who support a plastic ban are not only concerned about the environment but also see it as a money maker because it would result in tax revenue.
“In our current world, it is impossible to ban plastic. We can all do better on the consumer level to negate our plastic use, but plastics are a necessity and a reality for now and the foreseeable future,” Newman said.
Ms. Manzella, who teaches Advanced Placement Environmental Science and advises the Environmental Club, said she supports a plastic ban in New Jersey.
“Plastics are usually made from petroleum, so at the start, you are using fossil fuels to make plastics, which have their own environmental impact,” Manzella said.
Fossil fuels cause the Earth’s temperature to rise, and since the 1950s, humans have used 18.2 trillion pounds of plastic, according to Fortune magazine.
A plastic ban might appear like a drastic change, but New Jersey is not the first state or municipality to consider adopting this type of legislation. Beginning on Jan. 1, New York City implemented a ban on the use of clamshell containers, cups, plates, bowls, trays and packing peanuts made out of polystyrene, better known as foam.
In November 2016, California enacted a bill that makes it illegal for restaurants, with the exception of fast food restaurants or convenience stores, to hand out plastic straw unless they are requested by customers.
In contrast to the California law, the failed New Jersey bill did not allow for the use of plastic straws under any circumstances except for specific health reasons. According to the bill, violators would face a $500 fine for a first offense, $1,000 for a second offense and $5,000 for subsequent offenses.
Manzella said all of the legislation that has been debated or approved is helpful because it spreads the message that plastic is dangerous. She said it encourages people to take time to recycle.
“People are seeing images and reading articles on how the use of plastics are affecting the environment throughout the world and are becoming educated on their environmental impact and realizing there are alternative materials and habits that they can develop to reduce their environmental impact,” Manzella said.
Grescia Aguilar, who is in Manzella’s AP Environmental Science class and the Environmental Club, said it is important for people to preserve the Earth for future generations.
“I want to be optimistic and say that Earth will get better if the people become more educated and understand that their small current choices will have a huge impact on the future,” Aguilar said.
She said while she is used to recycling, she is now trying to preserve the planet by reducing her use of plastic items.
“You don’t need to recycle if you don’t use plastic. You can easily wash and reuse a reusable water bottle. That is cleaner, safer and more environmentally friendly,” Aguilar said.
Like Manzella, Aguilar said a plastic ban is worthwhile because it will raise awareness and help preserve the environment.
“I try to reduce my carbon footprint as much as possible so that future generations can breathe clean air and experience the beauty of nature. This is the only Earth we have and know, and if we don’t take care of it, who will?” said Aguilar.
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