Clean Water Action notes, "New Jersey has become ground zero for plastics litter. Most of the litter found on beaches is plastic, and scientists have found increasing amounts of microscopic plastic (microplastics) in the waterways of NJ and NY, including the upper Raritan and Passaic Rivers. Microplastics are now permeating our lives: it’s in the water we drink, in the fish we eat, and even in the air we breathe."

Eight other states have enacted this legislation, without dire consequences to businesses and state revenue.  Yet, New Jersey's plastic bag and "styrofoam" ban, A4330/S2776,  languishes in the legislature.  Governor Murphy vetoed an earlier bill as not going far enough.  This one is a great start on tackling our plastics problem.

New Jersey is a state with a proud progressive tradition of taking care of our neighbors and our environment.  We should all be surprised and embarrassed that we lag behind our neighbors in this ban.  It is past time to fix this!  We urge our state legislators to take action on A4330/S2776 and for Governor Murphy to urge them to action and to sign the bill as soon as it crosses his desk.

We can fix this, New Jersey, but we need to do it soon.  Time is running out, for the water that surrounds us, the land that sustains us and for us!