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Governor Murphy Bans Single-Use Paper and Plastic Bags in New Jersey

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ,  Governor Phil Murphy today signed S864, which prohibits the use of single-use plastic and paper bags in all stores and food service businesses statewide. This bill is a significant step to reduce harm and pollution that these products cause to our environment.

Continue reading Governor Murphy Bans Single-Use Paper and Plastic Bags in New Jersey

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Village of Ridgewood to suspend enforcement of the plastic bag ban given the unprecedented circumstances

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ , according to Village of Ridgewood Mayor Ramon M Hache , “We were notified earlier today by Stop and Shop that they will be running our of paper bags by the weekend due to the increased volume of shoppers during this pandemic emergency. Unfortunately there is a national shortage of paper bags and it is unclear as to when their stock of paper will be replenished. Stop and Shop will have to temporarily switch to plastic until such time their bag supply is replenished. The Village will work with them and suspend enforcement of the plastic bag ban given the unprecedented circumstances. We encourage shoppers to use reusable bags whenever possible.”

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Ridgewood’s Ban on Single Use Plastic Bags Starts in 2020

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog’

Ridgewood NJ, Village of Ridgewood Mayor Ramon Hache statement on
the ordinance to ban single-use plastic bags :

“Two weeks ago, we introduced an ordinance to ban single-use plastic bags in the Village. This is a very important step in protecting the environment and would not have been possible without the collaboration between the Village Council, the Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee and Green Team. A special thank you to Councilman Sedon as Council liaison to these committees. 
Although the ban will be adopted this summer, it will not go into effect until January 1, 2020. Over the next 6 months, we will have an educational and public awareness campaign to engage with our community and educate residents.”

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Reader calls taxing bags ,”just another money grab”

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” I was happy with paper bags. Then they put handles on them and I was happier. Then, ‘they’ said that WE WERE destroying the rainforests and plastic bags became the rage – despite their lack of support. Then, supermarkets and Whole Foods-esque places asked ‘paper or plastic?’. Now, it’s plastic bad, paper better, reusable best. Oh, and we’ll tax/charge you to use the first 2 options. I don’t mind being charged by the market for bags, like Ikea would do, I’m not a fan of taxing. It’s just another money grab. Taxing bags is another in a year-long tax-a-thon – bags, rain, salons, signs, leaves (oh, that’s a fine, my bad) gas…on top of the $.23 that Christie adopted, weed. And the list goes on. “

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Rooney bill creates recycling program for plastic bags

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August 1,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Wyckoff NJ,  Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney has introduced legislation requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to establish a recycling program for plastic bags and plastic film.

“We know how bad plastic bags are for the environment” said Rooney (R-Bergen). “They constantly litter highways, parks and street corners, clog sewage systems, and easily damage marine and wildlife.”

Rooney’s bill (A4349) requires the department to develop a program for stores and municipal recycling centers to collect and recycle plastic bags and film, such as bread and produce bags, food storage bags, and paper towel and bathroom tissue wrappings.

“It’s not that used plastic bags, wraps and film can’t be recycled, they just need to be recycled differently,” said Rooney.

The department will also develop an education program about the dangers of plastics, how people can reduce their use, and where items can be taken to be recycled. The new program will have no additional cost to the state or local taxpayers.

“Instead of turning to another new, useless tax it’s time we implement real changes to help the environment and residents of New Jersey,” concluded Rooney.