For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Anjuli.Ramos@sierraclub.org
Today, Governor Murphy signed the Recycled Content bill (S2515/A4676) into law. The law establishes post-consumer recycled content requirements for rigid plastic containers, glass containers, paper and plastic carryout bags, and plastic trash bags; and prohibits the sale of polystyrene loose fill packaging. The law will take into effect immediately.
No later than two years after the effective date of this act, the Department of Environmental Protection shall adopt, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this act. Beginning two years after the effective date of this act, all rigid plastic containers sold, offered for sale, or used in association with the sale or offer for sale of a product in the State by a manufacturer shall contain, on average, at least 25 percent post-consumer recycled content. Beginning five years after the effective date of this act, and every three years thereafter, the percentage of pos-tconsumer recycled content required for rigid plastic containers pursuant to this section shall increase by five percent, until reaching 50 percent.
“In a major victory for our environment, Governor Murphy has signed the plastic recycled content bill into law. This law will help New Jersey’s plastic pollution problem by reducing the production of virgin plastic and increasing the use of recycled content. The law will also help to enhance the recycled plastics market and ultimately reduce our carbon footprint of packaging. This recycled content law will help save taxpayers money due to landfill costs and the costs of cleaning up storm drains and litter. It also bans polystyrene loose fill packaging and pellets, which is critical because polystyrene is dangerous to human health,” said Anjuli Ramos- Busot, Director of the Sierra Club, New Jersey Chapter. “We thank the state legislature and Governor Murphy for passing and signing this critical bill into law. This bill along with the comprehensive plastic ban bill will help combat our plastic problem effectively.”