NJ platic bag ban reusable bag access needed | Opinion

New Jersey has long been a proud leader in environmental stewardship, most notably with the 2022 enactment of one of the nation’s strongest single-use plastic bag law to keep litter out of our public spaces and waterways.

The landmark bag law has dramatically reduced single-use plastic waste in New Jersey, removing billions of flimsy bags each year from our waste stream and setting a roadmap for others to follow in the ongoing battle against litter.

But as with any major policy shift, new challenges emerge — particularly for our most vulnerable residents.

One challenge is access to clean, sanitized, reusable bags. For many of us, purchasing a reusable bag is a minor inconvenience. For others — especially low-income families, seniors and those relying on food banks — obtaining these bags can be a significant barrier to accessing essential groceries.

This is why the New Jersey Clean Communities Council (NJCCC), in partnership with food banks, business groups and community organizations across the state, is urging state lawmakers to support legislation (A-5153/S-3711) that would create a permanent, dedicated funding source for an ongoing Reusable Bag Redistribution Program.

The funding would come from a litter tax on companies, not New Jersey taxpayers. Each year, the NJCCC manages an estimated $27 million in Clean Communities funding distributed to municipalities and counties for anti-littering supplies and campaigns. The coffers are filled by taxing the manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers of litter-generating products, as well as penalties and voluntary donations.

The Reusable Bag Redistribution Program, promoted through the NJCCC and other environmental groups in New Jersey, is a straightforward, effective initiative that has had tangible results since we launched it in 2023.

Gently used reusable bags are collected, sanitized, and distributed to food banks, pantries, and directly to residents in need. This program ensures that everyone, regardless of income, can comply with the state’s single-use bag law and carry their groceries safely and with dignity.

The need is real and ongoing; our partners at food banks report a steady demand for reusable bags, especially during the holiday season.

While the original bag law appropriated $500,000 per year from the Clean Communities Program for three years to support our program, that funding is expiring. Without a permanent solution, food banks and pantries may be forced to turn away those who cannot bring their own bags—undermining both the spirit and the letter of New Jersey’s sustainable environmental policies.

This proposed bill would direct an annual appropriation of $500,000 from the Clean Communities Program Fund to support the Reusable Bag Redistribution Program, as well as educating and motivating consumers to participate.

By investing in reusable bag redistribution, we are not only helping our neighbors in need — we are also further reducing waste and preventing gently-used bags from ending up in our landfills. It’s a win-win for our communities and our environment.

Together, we can ensure that New Jersey’s bag law remains both effective and equitable, leaving no one behind as we build a more sustainable future for all.

Linda Doherty is the president of the New Jersey Clean Communities Council. JoAnn Gemenden serves as Executive Director.