Even Paper Bags Will Be Banned From N.J. Supermarkets. The bill, which would make the state the first to ban single-use paper bags at supermarkets, would also ban single-use plastic bags in stores and restaurants.

New York Times ^ | September 25, 2020 | Mihir Zaveri

[karpov]

Paper or plastic? In New Jersey, try neither.

The state Legislature on Thursday voted to make New Jersey the first in the country to ban single-use paper bags in supermarkets along with all single-use plastic bags in stores and restaurants.

Eight other states, including California, New York and Vermont, have bans on single-use plastic bags either in effect now or scheduled to go into effect in the coming years.

But by banning both plastic and paper single-use bags, as well as disposable food containers and cups made out of polystyrene foam, environmental advocates said the New Jersey bill is among the most stringent in the United States.

“This bill is probably the strongest, most comprehensive bill in the nation dealing with plastics and packaging,” said Jeff Tittle, the director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, which had been helping lead the campaign for the ban. “It will go a long way in our battle with plastic pollution.”

Opponents of the bill had argued that it could hurt businesses and that the ban should be limited to plastic bags, since many view paper bags as an environmentally friendly alternative.

But Mr. Tittle said by banning paper bags, New Jersey would be pushing people to use bags made out of recycled or other sustainable materials.

Heidi Brock, the president and chief executive of the American Forest and Paper Association, which represents companies that are part of the paper industry, said that she hoped the governor would block the ban on paper bags.

“The New Jersey Legislature has undermined an environmentally responsible option for consumers,” she said in a statement on Thursday.

[karpov]

Mandating resuable bags in grocery causes increases in food poisoning.

[Dilbert San Diego]

I thought in the era of covid, that stores aren’t letting you use reusable bags brought from home anymore? What the heck?

[butlerweave]

Yep , reusable Bags are nothing but a Toxic Bag of Death , there I hope that scared the Environuts ,LOL

[1Old Pro]

What next, banning the plastic and paper food packaging? We’ll need to bring glass containers to stores and they will fill them with porridge for us.

[BunnySlippers]

NOTE: PLASTIC BAGS HAVE BEEN BANNED IN CALIFORIA for some time niw ...yea Yet, years late, I ONLY ASK FOR PAPER bags at checkout.

we have gone thru several layers of banning ...

But I still only get paper bags. I probably pay a few cents for them!!!

[Dr. Sivana]

I think this is an opportunity for some clever company to come up with packaging for a sale item that has a plastic bag integrated in the product, since almost all packaging of the product itself is “single use”. Imagine a can of Spaghetti-Os that is glued to the bottom of a bag with product info onthe outside. Buy ten cans of Spaghetti-Os, and you have ten shopping bags to load at checkout.

[cgbg]

I thought in the era of covid, that stores aren’t letting you use reusable bags brought from home anymore? What the heck?

The lefties love changing the rules--first do this, then do that, then go back to doing the first thing.

The goal has nothing to do with the specific requirement--it is to train the public to obey without question.

See my tagline.

[T.B. Yoits]

This is an example of insanity, clearly identified in writing and reaffirmed by those who would vote in support of it.

Outside of the well established link between disease and reusable grocery bags, one side of the mouth is screaming alerts about contagions such as COVID-19 and the other side of the mouth speaks of dictatorial enforcement of using a disease spreading device such as a reusable grocery bag.

The state can't have it both ways; requiring reusable grocery bags means COVID-19 restrictions are null and void.

[Baldwin]

The state has put thousands of businesses and workers out of work. The unemployment system is a shambles. The governor is sitting on 2 billion from the cares act, the gas tax goes up another 9 cents next week, and what is the legislature’s and governor’s priorities? Why paper bags of course.

[Patriot_MP]

... people need to not live in these states - and when they are void of all leftist loon liberals — then move back in with conservative power and rebuild it - while making sure the idiot left doesn’t come back in... I know — it’s all wishful thinking...

[VTenigma]

All a distraction to provide cover for not addressing real issues.

[aquila48]

“But Mr. Tittle said by banning paper bags, New Jersey would be pushing people to use bags made out of recycled or other sustainable materials.”

And there’s nothing environazis enjoy more that pushing people around. You see, their precious sensibilities are so much more important and morally superior than yours.

[VTenigma]

Nope, gruel not porridge.

[BunnySlippers]

I believe you’re right. I Eem to remember people reacting to bags brought into stores.

Is it just me ... but has life changed HUGELY IN THE LAT FEW YEARS???

My last 4 doctor’s appointments have been VIRUAL. Visits to the hospital ... Cedars Sinai ...the hospital isCLOSED AND EMPTY.

Life is strange these days.

[ExTexasRedhead]

Better to ban “no use” Marxist politicians instead. Get them the hell out of office starting immediately. They’re toxic to your health and the nation.

[jersey117]

Ahhh... the important things.

[reg45]

The Environmentalists want humans to die. They say that it’s the only way to save the earth.

[mware]

The local supermarket pressed everyone to buy/ bring their own bags prior to C19. Now if you bring your own bags they refuse to bag your groceries. You must bag them yourself.Besides doctors claiming using bags again can lead to higher risk of C19.

[EEGator]

I was in Aruba last Winter.
They give no bags. That was a fun time leaving the grocery store...

[Lazamataz]

Next, a ban on reusable bags.

Then a ban on food.