It’s been nearly three years since New Jersey banned single use checkout bags at grocery stores. We now know we need a sustainable option that is more affordable. Unintended consequences from the ban are limiting its impact and adding to consumer costs at a time when inflation continues to squeeze family budgets.
Implemented in May of 2022, the ban was hailed as a significant step forward in protecting our environment. By prohibiting single-use plastic checkout bags and paper bags, we aimed to reduce plastic consumption and promote sustainability. I continue to fully support the ban on single-use plastics. But, as time has revealed, our well-intentioned efforts have brought unexpected challenges. So, we must consider new solutions.
That is why I introduced Assembly Bill A4549, which would give grocery stores the option to provide recyclable paper checkout bags containing a substantial percentage of postconsumer recycled content. And now, I’m encouraged to report that similar proposals are gaining strong, bipartisan momentum.
At a recent Senate Commerce Committee hearing, the companion bill, S3413, was voted unanimously out of committee. This vote followed compelling testimony from local union workers who spoke about the jobs this bill protects – careers that have spanned decades and helped families thrive. We also heard from product experts, who shared data underscoring the recyclability and sustainability of paper bags, many of which are produced right here in New Jersey.
This is more than a policy adjustment. It’s a chance to do better for New Jerseyans who want practical and sustainable options at the checkout counter.
Everyone in New Jersey knows those new bags are now everywhere: sold in grocery stores, shoved in closets, stacked in garages, and eventually stuffed in the trash. What they may not know is these bags are just another form of plastic. They have their own carbon footprint and, just like the old plastic bags, they’re not biodegradable. So not only are we using three times more plastic to make the reusable bags, but if you’re like me and often forget to bring bags, now we’re also paying a few bucks at checkout for the privilege. The paper bags could be offered free of charge to consumers, or at the very least at significantly less cost than the plastic reusables.
I do not doubt that reusable bags are preferable to single-use plastics, but clearly they come with their own set of issues. That’s why I propose that we seriously consider reintroducing paper bags that are sustainably produced with recycled content, recyclable themselves, and biodegradable. Again, these updates do not seek to “mandate” a paper bag option. This would be left to businesses to decide based on their unique needs and customer preferences.
We also know our citizens want more choices at the checkout. More than 60 percent of voters in New Jersey support allowing recyclable paper bags as an option at checkout, according to a recent poll by Muller Public Strategies. And 53 percent acknowledge using reusable plastic bags fewer than the required 20 times to offset their environmental impact.
We have a paper bag manufacturer operating right in my hometown of Elizabeth with hundreds of union employees. You’ve probably used their bags. But the bag ban has forced them to scale back operations. Manufacturers like these play a vital role in driving growth and employment opportunities, and if we put them at risk, then we also risk undermining the economies of the communities we aim to support.
Moving forward, we must adopt a holistic approach that balances environmental stewardship with economic vitality and consumer choice. This means revisiting existing legislation to address unintended consequences and exploring innovative solutions that align with our shared goals.
By engaging stakeholders from all sectors, we can forge a path towards sustainability that benefits both our environment and our communities.
As legislators, we have a responsibility to listen to the concerns of our constituents, learn from our mistakes, and adapt our approach accordingly. I am proud I am proud to be a part of this ongoing bipartisan effort to address the unintended consequences of New Jersey’s bag ban. Let’s continue working together to build a more sustainable future – one that preserves our environment, supports local industries, and empowers individuals to make meaningful change.
Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D) represents the 20th District. Her home office is in Union.
