HPP– New Jersey plans to significantly cut down on packaging waste, especially plastic, that ends up in the trash after unboxing.
Various materials used for shipping protection, such as bubble wrap, air-filled plastic pockets, and foam peanuts, frequently contribute to landfill waste or environmental pollution.
A proposal set for discussion on Thursday in the state Legislature aims to mandate that all materials utilized in the state be recyclable or compostable by 2034. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that shopping containers and packaging materials make up approximately 28% of the municipal waste that ends up in landfills across the country.
A new bill in New Jersey aims to reduce plastic use by imposing fees on manufacturers and distributors, creating a $120 million fund to enhance recycling efforts and minimize solid waste.
According to the environmental group Beyond Plastics, states like California, Colorado, Oregon, Maine, and Minnesota have enacted similar legislation.
According to Doug O’Malley, director of Environment New Jersey, the proposed bill in New Jersey would be the most robust in the country.
“Our waterways are literally swimming in plastics,” he said. “We can’t recycle our way out of this crisis.”
The legislation mandates that the state Department of Environmental Protection examine the recycling market within the state and assess the expenses involved in enhancing it to accommodate a higher volume of packaging material recycling.
By 2032, the state aims to cut single-use packaging products by 25%, with a minimum of 10% achieved through a transition to reusable options or the removal of plastic elements.
By 2034, all packaging products in the state must be compostable or recyclable, and by 2036, New Jersey’s recycling rate for packaging products needs to reach at least 65%.