To Go Plastic or Not Go Plastic

On May 4th 2022 stores in New Jersey will no longer be able to hand out plastic bags or polystyrene foam containers, more commonly known as styrofoam. This is the implementation of New Jersey Public Law 2020, chapter 117. It was signed on November 4th, 2020, and it is finally being put into effect. The law is split into six sections: grocery stores, restaurants, convenience stores, pharmacies, retail stores, and homes. 

Grocery stores larger than 2,500 square feet are no longert allowed to provide one-time plastic or paper bags, except for loose items. Loose items are anything not in a container, such as clothing. They are, however, allowed to provide reusable bags. They can also continue to use styrofoam to package raw meat.

Restaurants cannot use plastic bags or styrofoam, but they can give out paper bags. They can also provide food in aluminum, paper, or plastic containers, and can only give plastic straws after a request. Paper straws, meanwhile, can be distributed for free. Styrofoam cups for less than two ounces are also allowed, as are soda spoons for thick drinks (like a Wendy’s Frosty).

Convenience stores, pharmacies, and retail stores can give paper bags but not plastic bags, except for loose items (convenience stores) and prescription medicine (pharmacies).

Individuals living in the state of New Jersey can reuse plastic bags, buy paper bags, and buy plastic or paper utensils. They are not, however, allowed to buy styrofoam utensils.

This mandate has been catalyzed by the evidence of plastic pollution in our society. Plastic products can easily build up due to littering, as can be seen by the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. It is a large mass of trash floating in the Pacific Ocean, sitting at over 1.6 million square kilometers. Plastic is deadly to the entire ecosystem. It can release toxins that diffuse from the soil into water sources, harming the ecosystem and its inhabitants. It is specifically deadly to marine life. Sea animals like turtles can become entangled by plastic. Birds and fish can mistake it for food, eating it but not being able to digest it. This can lead to suffocation or starvation, as their bellies are filled with plastic.

Some might ask why we care about nature and the lives of animals. Plastic pollution directly impacts us humans as well. Humans need to drink water too, so contamination can cause poisoning and possibly death to unaware drinkers. Furthermore, people eat seafood, and plastic pollution could decrease the amount of edible fish available. Littering can also ruin popular tourist attractions such as beaches and parks.

Whether it be to protect the environment, protect the lives of people, or protect the simple prospect of having some fun at a public area, New Jersey has taken a large step towards reducing plastic pollution.  We can do our part by not littering our plastic drink containers and instead place them in the recycling bin arounds campus.  If you see a bottle, pick it up.