Long Branch Looks To Ban Plastic Bags

LONG BRANCH, NJ — City officials introduced an ordinance Monday to ban businesses from distributing plastic bags and other single-use plastics. If passed, the law would take effect Dec. 31, 2020.

Businesses would be able to offer customers reusable or paper bags. Certain bags, such as those that hold newspapers or prescription medications, would be allowed.

The law would also prohibit takeout restaurants from putting food in styrofoam trays and including other disposable plastic utensils. Businesses would be able to give give customers plastic straws if they expressly ask for one.

Businesses who violate the law would face a $500 fine for the first offense, $1,000 for the second and $2,500 for the third.

"Single-use plastics are generating waste on an unimaginable scale," said Mayor John Pallone. "According to the World Economic Forum, our oceans will have more plastic than fish by 2050. Shore communities like Long Branch will bear most of the consequences."

Pallone argued that "runaway" plastic bags hurt taxpayers by forcing the City to spend money on removing plastic from beaches and roads, unclogging waterways and opening new landfills. The mayor also said having beaches covered in trash would hurt tourism.

“For us, the question is, do we want to act now or later?" said Councilwoman Rose Widdis. "Plastic waste never breaks down. It can wait. We cannot."

At least 88 New Jersey municipalities have taken steps to reduce plastic waste, nj.com wrote in October. Nearby towns Little Silver, Red Bank and Monmouth Beach have banned businesses from distributing single-use plastics — Red Bank's grace period for businesses ends Sept. 1. New York, California and Hawaii have banned plastic bags on a statewide level, according to ABC News.

Long Branch's next City Council meeting takes place at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8.

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