Urges DEP and EDA to establish plastics recycling marketplace.
Impact
This resolution aims to increase recycling rates, which currently vary between six to thirteen percent in New Jersey, largely below the expected levels for effective waste management. By leveraging the State Recycling Fund, the initiative seeks to bolster the existing infrastructure for recycling single-use plastics and to fund research and technology development to transform these materials into usable products, thus diverting waste from landfills and natural environments.
Summary
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 107, introduced in New Jersey, urges the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Economic Development Authority (EDA) to establish a marketplace for recycling single-use plastics. The bill outlines the significant environmental challenges posed by single-use plastics, which are widely consumed and disposed of in high volumes across the United States. It highlights the need for a structured approach to manage this waste and the potential health hazards that arise from microplastics that can enter the food chain.
Conclusion
Overall, SCR107 serves as a proactive measure to combat the environmental crisis associated with single-use plastics. By urging state authorities to develop a concentrated effort for recycling, it reflects a commitment to improving ecological health in New Jersey while addressing economic implications. The resolution underscores an emerging focus on sustainability and responsible consumption in state policies.
Contention
Notable points within the discussions around SCR107 include the balance between environmental goals and economic feasibility. Proponents argue that the resolution will not only address the pressing issue of plastic pollution but will also create economic opportunities through the development of a recycling marketplace. However, concerns remain about the effectiveness of recycling technologies and the cost implications for businesses and municipalities, which may impact their willingness to participate in such initiatives. The potential burden on the state's budget for funding these efforts is another point of contention that could influence the resolution's support.
Directs DEP to take certain actions concerning identification and testing of microplastics in drinking water, and requires DEP and BPU to study and promote use of microplastics removal technologies.
Directs DEP to take certain actions concerning identification and testing of microplastics in drinking water, and requires DEP and BPU to study and promote use of microplastics removal technologies.
Directs DEP to take certain actions concerning identification and testing of microplastics in drinking water, and requires DEP and BPU to study and promote use of microplastics removal technologies.