HaMMONtON — On May 4 , 2022 , the single-use plastic bag ban — signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy on November 4 , 2020 — will go into effect . according to a November 2020 release , the ban “ prohibits the use of single-use plastic and paper bags in all stores and food service
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businesses statewide .” “ Both plastic and paper singleuse bags , as well as disposable food containers and cups made out of polystyrene foam , will be banned . Paper bags require resources and energy to produce , contributing to pollution . Moving forward , the focus throughout the state will be on using reusable bags ,” the release said . the New Jersey Department of
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environmental Protection ( DeP )’ s website explained further .
“ the law prohibits all stores , including retail , food service businesses and grocery stores from selling to , or providing their customers with , single-use plastic carryout bags . in addition , grocery stores larger than 2,500 square feet may not provide or sell single-use paper carryout bags , and instead may provide or sell only reusable carryout bags ,” the DeP website said . in the release , Murphy said that plastic bags are “ one of the most problematic forms of garbage , leading to millions of discarded bags that stream annually into our landfills , rivers and oceans .”
“ We are addressing the problem of plastic pollution head-on with solutions that will help mitigate climate change and strengthen our environment for future generations ,” Murphy said in the release . amy Menzel , the communications manager for the atlantic County Utilities authority ( aCUa ) and the chair of the Hammonton Green Committee said that , with less than five months to prepare for the ban , now “ is a great time to start , if you haven ’ t already .”
“ reusable bags are widely available — there are so many different kinds of bags , made of a variety of materials and in many
Wednesday , December 22 , 2021 • The Hammonton Gazette • Page 3
Residents , businesses prepare for plastic bag ban
by Joseph F . Berenato Gazette Staff Writer
different styles ,” Menzel said . according to information from the DeP , a reusable bag is defined as one being “ made of polypropylene fabric , Pet [ polyethylene terephthalate or polyester ] nonwoven fabric , nylon , cloth , hemp product or other washable fabric , and has stitched handles and is designed and manufactured for ... a minimum of 125 uses and capable of withstanding multiple washes while maintaining usefulness and integrity .”
“ there is no minimum thickness for a bag to be considered reusable . No single-use plastic carryout bags , regardless of the thickness of the plastic , are allowed to be provided or sold ,” the DeP said .
Menzel said that reusable bags are often available for free as promotional items at community events .
“ Keep an eye out for giveaways . the aCUa and the Green Committee have bags to share at events scheduled between now and the launch of the ban ,” Menzel said .
Menzel said that one option is to make reusable bags from old t- shirts .
“ this is a great way to repurpose a much-loved shirt that may have been outgrown . i love t-shirt bags because you can just toss them in the washer ... No sewing
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A plastic bag ban goes into effect in May 2022 . skills are needed and directions are posted on the Green Committee website ,” Menzel said , adding that the Hammonton Green Committee ’ s website can be found at hammontongreencommittee . com .
One important thing to develop , Menzel said , is making sure that residents always have reusable bags with them .
“ there ’ s usually a bag of bags on the bench by the door at my
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