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.

[usnavy_cop_retired]

Here in the Philippines the supermarkets ask you if you want plastic or box. When I do my monthly shopping we ask for the box for most of out purchase but plastic for the items that can get squished, (bread, chips etc.). Meats are placed in plastic bags and, (since I live an hour away from the city and decent supermarkets), I bring an ice chest and buy a bag of ice to keep the meats cold until we get home. The box is closed and secured using a thin plastic string, called straw, and is very good at keeping the box from opening from the bottom.

[Patriot_MP]

...I’m only doing a bit better than you - I’m in the King’s Commonwealth of Virginia -— so, central to where the 2A is strong and alive ... but I’ve worked alot up in NOVA... (Northern Virginia) & DC — not so much there does the rights of a citizens exists... not surprising I know...
be safe! & take care !