A bill that would impose a 5-cent fee per bag on the use of plastic and paper bags is waiting for Gov. Phil Murphy’s signature, but Hopewell Borough Mayor Paul Anzano isn’t sure that is the right approach.
Anzano, who raised the issue of banning the use of plastic bags by Hopewell Borough businesses at the June 7 Borough Council meeting, said he supports the legislation in theory.
“We need to do something to get plastic bags out of the waste stream, but whether this is the right approach, I’m not sure. There has not been adequate debate” in the state Legislature, Anzano said last week.
The mayor said there needs to be a “real discussion” about alternatives. He said he supports limiting plastic bags in the waste stream, but “a tax is not the answer. We need to control it appropriately.”
The legislation, which was approved June 21, would discourage the use of single-use plastic and paper bags by implementing a 5-cent fee on each bag, effective Oct. 1. The law would apply to drug stores, supermarkets and retail businesses which have more than 2,000 square feet and that provide plastic or paper carryout bags to customers as a result of a sale. The bill would also apply to retail chains which have 10 or more stores.
There is an exemption from the fee if the purchaser is enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), or the Work First New Jersey program.
Money generated by the 5-cent fee would be used by the state Department of Environmental Protection for lead abatement in schools and communities, but there was some movement during the state budget process to divert the money to help balance the budget.