NJ
New Jersey Assembly Bill A4549

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A4549

Introduced
6/13/24  

Caption

Authorizes grocery stores to provide certain single-use paper carryout bags to customers.

Impact

The bill is a direct response to mounting evidence regarding plastic pollution and its detrimental effects on the environment, including the overpowering dominance of microplastics in the ocean. The Legislature's findings highlight the significance of addressing single-use plastics and paper carryout bags as major contributors to waste and pollution. By permitting grocery stores to offer certain paper bags with specified recycled content, the bill attempts to guide consumers towards more sustainable choices while still adhering to environmental regulations.

Summary

Assembly Bill A4549, introduced by Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, aims to amend existing legislation regarding single-use paper carryout bags in New Jersey. The bill allows grocery stores to provide single-use paper bags to customers, provided that these bags contain a stipulated percentage of postconsumer recycled content. Specifically, these sustainable bags must average at least 40% postconsumer recycled materials, or 20% for bags designed to hold eight pounds or less. This change seeks to balance consumer convenience with ongoing environmental concerns about plastic waste.

Contention

The initiative encounters opposition relating to environmental implications, as concerns arise about the energy and resources involved in the production and transportation of single-use paper bags, which may rival those associated with plastic bags. Critics argue that without rigorous enforcement of the recycled content standards, the projected benefits might not materialize. Furthermore, the legislation includes a provision that preempts any existing local regulations regarding plastic or paper bag use, raising questions about local government autonomy and consumer choice in addressing environmental issues.

Latest A4549 Activity

Companion Bills

NJ S3413

Same As Authorizes grocery stores to provide certain single-use paper carryout bags to customers.

Previously Filed As

NJ S3413

Authorizes grocery stores to provide certain single-use paper carryout bags to customers.

NJ S3358

Eliminates prohibition on provision of single-use paper and plastic carryout bags by grocery stores for delivery, pick-up or curbside pickup orders.

NJ S964

Eliminates prohibition on provision of single-use paper and plastic carryout bags by grocery stores for delivery, pick-up or curbside pickup orders.

NJ A5592

Eliminates prohibition on provision of single-use paper bags by grocery stores for delivery orders; requires grocery stores and third party grocery delivery services to establish program for reuse of reusable bags used for delivery orders.

NJ A4765

Eliminates prohibition on provision of single-use paper bags by grocery stores for delivery orders; requires certain retailers to repurpose cardboard boxes if feasible.

NJ S3831

Eliminates prohibition on provision of single-use paper bags by grocery stores for delivery orders; requires certain retailers to repurpose cardboard boxes if feasible.

NJ A1664

Eliminates prohibition on provision of single-use paper bags by grocery stores for delivery orders; requires certain retailers to repurpose cardboard boxes if feasible.

NJ S353

Eliminates prohibition on provision of single-use paper bags by grocery stores for delivery orders; requires certain retailers to repurpose cardboard boxes if feasible.

NJ A4029

Allows stores, and certain other establishments, to provide and sell compostable plastic bags and recycled paper bags to customers.

NJ AJR64

Designates May of each year as "Bag Up NJ Month."

Similar Bills

NJ S3413

Authorizes grocery stores to provide certain single-use paper carryout bags to customers.

NJ S3114

Eliminates prohibition on paper bags, and allows packaging options, for certain grocery orders for three years; requires program for disposition of reusable bags; extends timeframe for use of certain bags by food banks and pantries.

NJ A4741

Eliminates prohibition on provision of single-use paper bags by grocery stores for certain orders for five years; allows packaging options for grocery orders; requires program for disposition of reusable bags for grocery orders.

NJ A4859

Eliminates prohibition on paper bags, and allows packaging options, for certain grocery orders for three years; requires program for disposition of reusable bags; extends timeframe for use of certain bags by food banks and pantries.

NJ S239

Eliminates prohibition on paper bags, and allows packaging options, for certain grocery orders for three years; requires program for disposition of reusable bags; extends timeframe for use of certain bags by food banks and pantries.

NJ S4517

Exempts certain compostable plastic items from ban on single-use plastic carryout products.

NJ A2065

Amends applicability of law prohibiting sale and distribution of plastic and paper carryout bags to food banks and food pantries; appropriates $600,000.

NJ S3358

Eliminates prohibition on provision of single-use paper and plastic carryout bags by grocery stores for delivery, pick-up or curbside pickup orders.