Paper or plastic? NJ lawmakers approve 5-cent fee on both, angering environmentalists

Single-use plastic and paper bags would be slapped with a 5-cent fee under a bill that was rushed through the Legislature this week amid frenzied negotiations over a roughly $37 billion state budget.

Sponsors say the measure is a step in the right direction after years of unsuccessful attempts to limit use of the bags, but many environmental groups are adamantly opposed because it would also prevent cities and towns from enacting tougher restrictions — such as outright bans — in the future.

“This legislation cuts the knees off of towns and cities that want to protect their communities,” said Doug O'Malley, director of Environment New Jersey. “Just as we’re generating momentum to eliminate plastic bags, the Legislature is going to stop that.”

The measure, A-3267/S-2600, was first considered by legislative committees on Tuesday and approved by the full Senate and Assembly on Thursday. The votes were 23-16 in the Senate and 41-32 in the Assembly.

Read more: https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/new-jersey/2018/06/21/nj-lawmakers-push-impose-5-cent-fee-both-paper-and-plastic-bags/717437002/