New Study: Ban Curbed Use of Single-Use Plastic Bags in New Jersey

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): A recent study of New Jersey’s single-use plastic bag ban indicates that the use of plastic bags has witnessed considerable decline since the enactment of the law in May 2022. For instance, the township of Woodbridge generated around 31 million fewer single-use plastic bags during this period.

JoAnn Gemenden, executive director, New Jersey Clean Communities Council noted that the ban has resulted in considerably less visible litter. The move has led to successful reduction in plastic bag use and litter.

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The Litter Free NJ Campaign undertaken by the Council has been successful in educating the general public on the harmful impacts caused by single-use plastic bags. As a result, majority of them bring reusable bags for shopping, thus resulting in reduced waste and litter. The benefits of the law are evident throughout New Jersey, Gemenden said.

As of today, twelve U.S. states have some form of statewide ban on single-use plastic bags. It must be noted that bans in Colorado and Rhode Island had come into effect starting January 1, 2024.

The production, consumption and disposal of single-use plastic bags releases water and air pollution. Littered plastic bags are often ingested by marine animals, leading to their death. Moreover, plastic bags continue to cause pollution for several hundreds of years, as they are not biodegradable.